What should I do if a school says it’s “in the process” of accreditation?

This phrase is a little like “almost finished” on a group project—it could mean a lot, or it could mean very little. Some schools are genuinely early in the process and on their way to full accreditation. Others might be using the phrase to buy time or create the impression of legitimacy. Your job? Ask questions. Who are they working with? How far along are they? When do they expect to finish? A school that’s transparent and organized will have real answers. If things sound vague or the timeline is fuzzy, you might want to keep looking—or at least keep asking.