You check your email account and mailbox. You check them dozens of times each day these days. You hesitate when you see who the sender is and muster up the courage to open the mail. It begins with a hearty "Congratulations!" or "We are pleased to inform you ..." Take a deep breath — you're in!

If you're lucky, you may have been accepted at multiple colleges and get to pick among them.

Whether you have to choose among five schools or one, make your decision after your initial excitement has calmed down.

• About acceptance letters
• About financial aid award letters
• Deciding on a school