To apply early, or not to apply early? That is the question
being explored by many college-bound students in the fall of
their senior year. Hundreds of colleges offer early decision
admissions plans, which allow applicants to apply early
(deadlines for early decision are usually in early November;
regular applications are usually due around January 1) and get a
decision by early January.
The Pros
Research shows that your chances of being accepted at some
colleges are better if you apply early decision. It makes
sense—if accepted, the student enters into a binding agreement to
attend that in the fall, thus eliminating any uncertainty on the
school's part that the student will enroll. (And colleges tend to
look favorably on a student who makes them their first choice!)
This binding system was intended for students who were
absolutely, 100 percent certain that they wanted to attend a
particular school.
If you've already researched all of your options and still
want to go to a particular school, this might be a good option
for you. But be sure to discuss it with your guidance counselor
first—he or she will be able to give you a clearer picture of
your chances.
The Cons
But critics of the early decision process aren't so sure it's
a great idea for everyone. Many people—high school counselors,
teachers, even admissions personnel—feel that the system puts too
much pressure on students too soon. Students might feel compelled
to apply early, even if they have not researched all of their
options. Thus, they can end up bound to attend a college that
really isn't the best fit for them.
Another criticism? The process limits socioeconomic diversity
in the student body (that means money!). When you are accepted
under the early decision system, you receive only one offer of
financial aid. If that offer is unacceptable to you, you can then
(and only then) decline the offer of admission. But if you
choose to accept, you are effectively cutting off the chance of
getting a better package from another school.
That can be a huge disadvantage—one of the hidden benefits of
applying for financial aid at a variety of schools allows you to
play one offer over another. Thus, students who enroll under
early decision tend to skew to more economically privileged
students than the general regular decision population. Find out
all the financial aid ramifications here.
A compromise?
If you're a committment-phobe and aren't 100% positive that
you can bind yourself to that one and only school, there is a
compromise that might be right for you. You can replace the early
decision programs at most schools with Early Action. In place at
many top schools already, including Boston College, Georgetown,
and MIT, early action allows students to apply early, but doesn't
bind students to the school if they're offered admission.
Instead, students can wait to see where else they're accepted,
compare financial aid offers, and make their decision in the
spring.
The future?
Amidst this controversy, will colleges eliminate the early
decision process? It's not likely. As long as there are even a
few top colleges participating in the program, other schools
won't abandon early decision—it would make them unable to compete
effectively with the other schools. But knowing what you're
getting into with Early Decision can make you more competitive as
well.