Over 400 really great colleges are still accepting applications for fall 2014

Catholic University still has space available for fall 2014

Although the May 1 national response date for college acceptances has passed, many really terrific opportunities still exist for students who haven’t enrolled yet for the fall semester.

Back by popular demand, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual College Openings Update is now available. And many great colleges and universities throughout the country are still accepting applications for fall 2014 enrollment.

In fact, according to NACAC, at least 409 colleges and universities have space available for qualified freshman and/or transfer students, with many having financial aid and housing to offer. 

For example, Coastal Carolina (SC), Colorado State University, Saint Joseph’s University (PA), Sarah Lawrence College (NY), Seattle University (WA), University of Arizona, University of Oregon, University of Vermont, and Xavier University (OH) are posting that they have space available for this fall.

Locally, Catholic University and Trinity Washington University are still accepting applications from prospective freshman as well as transfer students.

In Maryland, Frostburg State University, Mount Saint Mary’s, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Stevenson University, Loyola Maryland University, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) indicate they will consider qualified freshman and transfer students.

To the south, Hollins, Lynchburg College, Radford University, Randolph College, Shenandoah University, Sweet Briar College, and the University of Mary Washington also show space and resources left for prospective freshmen and transfers in Virginia.

NACAC’s annual survey asks member institutions to provide information on the availability of space, financial aid, and housing as of May 1, 2014—after the close of the traditional college admissions season. In its 27th year, the survey is designed as a tool for counselors, parents and teachers as they work with students who have not completed the process for one reason or another.

In addition to the NACAC survey, colleges still accepting applications may be found by searching both the Common Application and the Universal College Application (UCA) websites. As of today, the Common App shows 186 members still open to new applicants, and the UCA lists 20 member colleges and universities still accepting first-year and transfer students.

Note that the colleges and universities listed on the NACAC survey are subject to change as classes fill and financial aid or housing runs out. But it's also entirely possible that more opportunities will be included as time goes on.

In any event, students must contact institutions directly for the most up-to-date application information, and be aware that admission will be contingent on each school’s review of individual candidates.