Wanna show your first-choice colleges that you really, really like them? You should consider applying early. In general, the earlier you submit your application, the better. Your admissions odds may increase, and you will be in the early applicant pool for the most merit aid. In this article, we’ll navigate your early admission options.
Early Decision (ED):
Are you 100% sure of your first-choice school? If so, consider applying as an ED applicant. These applications are usually due early, some by October of your senior year. For a school with a single round of ED, you can expect to hear back from your school in December, hopefully getting that acceptance letter of your dreams.
Adding to the complexity of ED, some schools now offer two rounds of early decision (ED1 in the fall and ED2 in January). One reason to consider ED2 would be if you need more time to prepare your application. Another option would be if you get denied or deferred by your ED school, there is time to apply to another school as an ED2.
Let’s consider the pros and cons of ED:
Pros:
- You get your application done and submitted early, thereby eliminating some stress.
- You may have a better chance of getting into your first-choice school, as Early Decision rates of admission are typically higher (sometimes by a significant amount) than regular admission. For example: Boston College class of 2024 had a 37% acceptance rate in their Early Decision rounds, but overall acceptance rate including regular admissions was 24%.
- If you get accepted, your decision is done, and you have more time to think about and plan your freshman year there.
- If your application is denied or deferred, there is still time to apply to other colleges.
Cons:
- You can only choose one school to apply for ED.
- Your ED acceptance will be binding, meaning you are obligated to attend that school if they offer you admission, and you must withdraw all other regular admission applications.
- Because your acceptance is binding, your family needs to be financially prepared to accept regardless of any aid that may or may not be offered.
Early Action (EA):
Early Action is similar to Early Decision, but is non-binding. Therefore, you can and should apply to other schools in addition to your EA choice. These applications are due early, and you will find out if you get accepted early, usually in January. You may apply to more than one school EA, but some highly selective schools have “single choice” or “restrictive” EAs, which means you can apply to just their school as EA.
Let’s consider the pros and cons of EA:
Pros:
- You get your application done and submitted early, thereby eliminating some stress.
- You may have a better chance of getting into your first-choice school, as some Early Action admission rates can be higher than regular admission rates.
- EA is non-binding, so if you aren’t 100% sure of the college you want to attend, you don’t have to agree to go there if you are accepted.
- Colleges often choose some of their merit scholarship recipients from students who apply EA.
Cons:
- If you are denied or deferred with your EA school, it will likely be after the deadline to apply to other schools, so make sure you still apply via the regular admissions process to any other schools of interest.
In general, college admissions outcomes can favor applicants who apply early.
Be sure to read each institution’s policies carefully! If you need help deciphering their process, please contact me – I’d be happy to take a look.
