The Early Admissions (ED) Advantage
The application period is often a confusing time, especially for students trying to figure out when to apply and how that can impact their chances of admission. From Early Decision to Early Action, to Single-Choice Early Action, to Regular Decision, and Rolling admission, how do students navigate these deadlines successfully?
Early Decision is one of these selections, which is mostly offered at private universities and colleges (though not always) and is a way to show a student is ready to commit to one school if admitted. If a student selects ED, they must have a parent or guardian sign an official agreement, and if admitted, they agree to withdraw all other applications and deposit at that school. There are only a few exceptions to this, such as an unforeseen financial situation that occurred after submitting the application, that could allow a student to withdraw from their ED choice. Students who choose ED and decide not to go without legitimate cause will impact classmates at their high school who choose to apply ED to the same institution in the future. This is why choosing to ED or not to ED is a big decision that a student should discuss at length with their college counselor and parents.
If a student chooses to ED to a particular school, it can provide some advantages. Here are a few reasons why choosing an Early Decision school could be advantageous:
1. ED applicants have higher rates of admission.
Most universities and colleges that have ED, have a higher acceptance rate among students who choose to apply then as opposed to the Regular Decision round. At some institutions, the difference is big, while at others, it provides a small boost in possible admission.
2. ED applicants who are admitted can be finished with the process sooner.
ED is traditionally an early November deadline with a mid-December release. If applying to a college with an ED II, it is traditionally an early January deadline with a mid-February release. For most situations, students are notified sooner than applicants in the regular round and can withdraw their other applications and begin planning for their college experience sooner, such as applying for housing, which at some colleges, can be quite limited.
3. ED applicants sometimes have access to early merit scholarships.
Students who apply early often are considered for merit scholarships if the school offers it. These funds often run out, so early applicants are the first to receive that consideration.
It’s important to note that ED is not the right choice for everyone. For example, for students wanting to compare merit or financial aid packages among colleges, they will not be able to do that if they apply ED. They also need to be very sure about their selection, as they must withdraw or not submit any additional applications and will never know those admissions decisions. Overall, students should look at colleges of interest with ED options and think carefully with the help of their college counselors and parents to see if it’s the right strategy for them.
