You’ve Hit Submit—What’s Next? Here’s How to Stay on Track Until Decision Day

 
 

Take a moment and breathe—you’ve done it! After months of pouring your heart into essays, juggling deadlines, and proofreading every last word, you’ve finally clicked “submit.” Your Ivy League application is on its way, and for a second, it feels like the hard part is over. But then, the questions start creeping in.

What if something’s missing? What if I forgot to check a box? What do I do while I wait?

Let me tell you a quick story to set the stage.

Meet Ava, Jackson, and Maya

Ava just submitted her Early Decision application to Columbia. She felt a wave of relief, but as she checked her application portal a week later, she noticed her teacher’s recommendation letter hadn’t been marked as “received.” Jackson, on the other hand, is in the middle of refining his Regular Decision applications, but after hitting “submit” for his Harvard app, he realized he never sent his SAT scores. And then there’s Maya—her Early Action application to Princeton is complete, but now she’s unsure how to prepare for the possibility of a deferral.

Each of them is navigating this tricky in-between phase, but they all found their way by taking the right steps. Here’s how you can do the same.

Step 1: Check Your Application Portal

Think of your portal as your admissions checklist—it’s where you’ll see updates on whether your documents, like transcripts and recommendation letters, have been received.

  • What Ava Did:
    Ava immediately reached out to her teacher to confirm the recommendation was sent. When her teacher verified it, Ava sent a polite email to the admissions office:
    “Dear [Admissions Officer’s Name], I noticed in my portal that my recommendation letter is marked as missing. My teacher confirmed it was sent on [date]. Could you let me know if it is still being processed? Thank you for your time.”
    Within days, the letter appeared as “received,” and Ava could rest easy knowing her application was complete.

  • Pro Tip: Check your portal weekly and give documents a few days to process before reaching out.

Step 2: Double-Check Test Scores

Jackson realized his SAT scores hadn’t been sent, but he didn’t panic. He logged into his College Board account and requested a rush delivery to Harvard. Crisis averted.

  • What to Do:
    If you submitted standardized test scores, verify they’ve been sent to the correct schools. If they’re missing, request them to be sent immediately, and check if the college accepts late scores.

Step 3: Stay on Top of Notifications

Maya knew Princeton might email her if something was missing from her Early Action application. She made it a habit to check her email and portal every other day, and she even created a special folder for admissions emails.

  • Action Step:
    Regularly check your email and portal for updates or requests. Sometimes colleges will ask for clarification or additional materials.

  • Pro Tip: Use a dedicated folder in your inbox to keep admissions communications organized.

Step 4: Prepare for Deferrals

Maya also knew that Early Action results could mean an acceptance, a rejection, or a deferral. While waiting, she began thinking about updates she could share with Princeton if she were deferred.

  • What to Do:
    If you’re deferred, don’t see it as the end. Use it as an opportunity to update your application. For example, Maya planned to share a recent leadership award she earned, along with a Statement of Persuasion to reaffirm her interest.

Related Resource: Check out our blog, Crafting a Compelling Statement of Persuasion, to write a powerful follow-up. For personalized assistance, Ivy Link's advisors have extensive experience in helping students turn deferments into acceptances by crafting impactful Statements of Persuasion.

Step 5: Stay Productive During the Waiting Period

While waiting for decisions, all three students found ways to stay proactive.

  • What Ava Did: She prepared for a potential alumni interview by practicing answers to questions about her academic and extracurricular interests.

  • What Jackson Did: He used this time to refine his essays for Regular Decision schools, ensuring his applications were polished and ready to go.

  • What Maya Did: She celebrated completing her application by taking a well-deserved break, but she also kept an eye on her email for any updates.

Related Resource: For a comprehensive understanding of the steps to take while awaiting Early Decision outcomes, check out Ivy Link’s Waiting for Early Decision? Actions You Can Take Right Now.

Step 6: Prepare for Decision Day

Decision day will come sooner than you think, and with it will come answers—whether it’s an acceptance, a deferral, or a rejection. Maya reminded herself that every outcome was part of her journey, while Ava and Jackson kept their options open by staying positive about their next steps.

Related Resource: For detailed guidance on your next steps after receiving ED or EA results, check out our blog Decoding Early Decision and Early Action Results: Your Next Steps.

Like Ava triple-checking her portal, Jackson fixing his SAT scores, or Maya preparing for what comes after a deferral, this part of the process can feel uncertain—but it’s also an opportunity. Whether you’re tying up loose ends, refining essays, or navigating what to do next, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re feeling stuck or just need someone to guide you, Ivy Link is here to help. Our team knows this stage inside and out—from addressing small details to making big decisions—and we’re ready to support you every step of the way. Let’s connect and tackle it together.

Submitting your application was a huge step, but there’s more ahead. You’ve put in the work, and we’re here to make sure every piece falls into place.

EJ (Elden Joie) Gonzales