Bummed out by a stack of rejection letters? Don't throw in the towel just yet. Though the national college acceptance deadline (May 1st) has come and gone, you just might have a second chance at scoring a spot in the university that's perfect for you. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has just published the results of their Space Availability Survey, a list of 258 NACAC-member schools that haven't met their enrollment goals and still have room for late applicants. 

The pickings aren't slim either. Schools on the list include the University of Rochester, ranked the 35th best university in the latest U.S. News & World Report, and Whitman College, ranked the 37th best liberal arts school. The bloggers at The College Counselor For Gifted Kids also point to options, like Ohio Wesleyan and Smith College, the prestigious women's college and liberal arts school, which are accepting transfer applicants. These are all competitive institutions with highly respected academic programs. But they, and the other 70 percent of private schools on the list, have suffered a decline in enrollment due to the recession.

At the same time, keep in mind that housing and financial aid resources have already been allocated to students accepted through regular admissions, and remaining space and funds may be limited. Fortunately, 97% of the colleges on NACAC's list still have available dorms and even if you've missed out on school-specific scholarships, you can continue to apply for government aid.

Here are a few tips on how to successfully secure a last-minute spot for the fall:

• Act now. Even though some schools will accept applications right up until the end of summer, these are still limited spots and your chances of getting in are much higher if you apply immediately.

• Do your own research. The NACAC's membership only represents half of the four-year colleges in America. If there's a school you haven't applied to yet and it's not listed in the survey, call the admissions office and ask for yourself. If it's a private institution, there's a decent chance that enrollment was lower this year than previous years.

• Have a story ready. "Be prepared to explain over the phone, and in a letter, why you are applying so late and why the school is a good fit," says John Sullivan, dean of admission and financial aid at Eckerd College.

The prospect of going through the entire application process again may not be too appealing but if you're not pleased with your current college options, then an eleventh hour effort might just land you at a school that you'll be more than happy to attend.

Image by Pickersgill Reef and used under a Creative Commons license.