Schools have to notify you of your admittance by August 1, but don't hold out that long to find out.

You should do everything you can to get that college admission letter you want. Let the school know that you will definitely enroll if they accept you by writing a letter to the head honcho in the Admission Office. Also make sure you've submitted everything you were supposed to, including your financial aid paperwork. You don't want to give the school any reason to pass you over in case it comes down to drawing straws for that last coveted spot.

Last but not least, if you didn't already do it when you originally applied, submit applications to your second-choice schools. If you're accepted at another school, make plans to go there — send in your enrollment forms and put down your deposit. If you find out later that you've gotten into your first choice, you can change your plans, but don't put yourself in the position of having nowhere to go at all.