Reasons to Love Early Action Counselors need to make sure that students understand this key distinction between the two plans. Applying early decision is very tempting; however, students must be For a student who has a definite first-choice college, applying early has many benefits besides possibly increasing the chance of getting in. This means if you are accepted through early decision, you are committed to attending that school, and will withdraw any applications you may have submitted for the regular deadlines at other schools. Both Early Decision I and Early Decision II options allow students who feel sure that Johns Hopkins is their first-choice college to apply before the Regular Decision deadline, and to receive their admission decision early. When you apply Early Decision, you’re expressing your preference in a way that is powerful and important—and here at Muhlenberg we appreciate your commitment and enthusiasm. The Early Decision application deadline is typically in November, with students receiving a decision by mid-December.Some schools allow you to apply early to other programs, as long as they are not binding, while others ask that you submit only one early application. We’re so pleased that you’ve decided to apply Early Decision. When the college doesn't have to worry about. Restricted Early Action? v. Regents of the University of Michigan et al, Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. (Upon acceptance, a student must withdraw all other applications.) Not all institutions offer EA and ED, but it's easy to find out! The table below shows a small sampling of early decision deadlines and response dates. ED II applications are due in early January and students are notified in February. What Is Early Decision? ED programs are binding, meaning that in order to utilize them, you must sign an agreement stating that you will attend the college if you’re admitted. On the other hand, early decision programs are binding, meaning your child will be obligated to attend the school they’re accepted to as long as the financial aid package is considered adequate by your family (more on this in the “Financial aid” section below). Early decision schools tend to have some of the more generous need-based financial aid around, but this is not always the case and families should make sure to use net price calculators before deciding on early decision vs. early action. Decision letters are issued by early December. Applying Early Decision means that, if accepted, you are obligated to enroll at the school… as long as their financial aid package meets your family’s needs.. Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1. This issue is better than it used to be because changes to the FAFSA in 2017 now make it possible for colleges to calculate financial aid packages for early applicants at the time of the admissions decision. NACAC describes early decision as a process in which "students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll and withdraw all other applications. If you’re a sophomore or junior who is reading this post, we … The number of applicants and admit rates, however, may differ each year between our different rounds of admission. If you are admitted in Early Decision I or Early Decision II, it is a binding contract to attend Hopkins. For many students, knowing their college plans as soon as possible is a huge relief. Applicants who apply early decision are almost certain to attend if admitted. Grove, Allen. Early Decision is kind of the big gun in the college application world. Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family. Grove, Allen. Save the time and expense of submitting multiple applications. A student accepted early must often decide to attend before receiving a financial aid package. Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February). Senioritis: Applicants who learn early that they have been accepted into a college may feel that, their goal accomplished, they have no reason to work hard for the rest of the year. In most cases, students will then receive a decision from the college before the new year. Here are some details about each option: Early decision plans: Students can apply to only one early decision Early Decision (ED) is a very appealing application option. Gain more time, once accepted, to look for housing and otherwise prepare for college. Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED. Is not fully committed to attending the college. Students who apply early decision know their admission decision before the New Year and, if accepted, they are set free from the grueling college application process. Understanding Legacy Status for College Admissions, the acceptance rate is higher for early decision, steps you can take when deferred to improve your chances, Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania, M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania, B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT, Related to the point above, applying early decision is an excellent way to, Students who aren't accepted early are often deferred and reconsidered with the regular applicant pool. Time crunch for other applications: Most colleges do not notify ED and EA applicants of admission until December 15. Print out and share the Early Decision and Early Action Calendar with students and parents to be sure they are aware of all the required steps for applying early. Early Action applicants apply by an early deadline and receive an admissions decision early in the cycle, and can consider their acceptance offer without the need to commit immediately. Higher admission rates for ED applicants may correlate to stronger profiles among candidates choosing ED. There are several reasons why colleges like early decision: For a college, there are few if any negative consequences in having an early decision program. ED applications are due in early November and most schools will notify of their decision in Mid-December. Early decision (ED) and early action (EA) plans can be beneficial to students — but only to those who have thought through their college options carefully and have a clear preference for one institution. As we mentioned above, early application programs come in two basic types: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). Students who are accepted early are done stressing about getting into college months before most applicants. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/what-is-early-decision-786929. If you are accepted Early Decision, you must withdraw any ap… The major benefit of applying EA is that you get to hear back regarding your application much earlier than Regular Decision applicants, usually in December or January. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-early-decision-786929 (accessed February 23, 2021). So what’s the financial catch in early decision? Reduce stress by cutting the time spent waiting for a decision. Also, keep in mind that colleges do allow students to break the early decision contract if the school fails to come up with enough aid to meet a student's demonstrated need, but realize that the student's need is calculated by the school and the FAFSA, not by what students think they can afford. Discover grammar tips, writing help, and fun English language facts. Early Action? Admission decisions for Early Decision or Early Action applications typically have one of three outcomes: Admitted, Denied, Deferred. If admitted, a student must attend the school or else lose a sizable enrollment deposit. Although there are. Has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time. A student who gets accepted through early decision has no way to compare financial aid offers. 1, Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, The Diversity Imperative: The Compelling Case, Access and Diversity: Related but Distinct Concepts, Key Terms and Concepts: Knowing the Basics, Mythbusters: Correcting Common Misunderstandings, Making Connections: A Holistic View of Key Strategies, Admission: Exploring Key Strategies for Achieving Success, Financial Aid and Scholarships: Exploring Key Strategies for Achieving Success, Getting from Here to There: Managing the Process of Policy Change, Beyond Federal Law: State Voter Initiatives and Their Consequences, Taking a Stand: Higher Education Leadership for the 21st Century, The Initiative on Transfer Policy and Practice, Community Colleges and Student Search Service, Professional Development for Higher Education, Michigan SAT Suite Implementation Workshops, Summer Institute on College Admission and School Relations, International Professional Development Events, Summer Institute for International Counselors at NYU, International Admissions Symposium and University Fair, College Board Electronic Discussion Groups, Early Decision Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, Pros and Cons of Applying to College Early. Grove, Allen. Make it clear in your school handbook and at college planning events that your policy for early-decision applications is to send the student's final transcript to one college only: anything else is unethical. There's little data available to state if students who apply with the earlier deadline fare better than those who apply later, but both programs are binding and both have the same benefit of demonstrating the applicant's commitment to attending the school. Early decision applicants make a binding commitment to enroll at the College of Charleston in the following fall if admitted. You may not apply to more than one college under early decision. What is a Safety School in College Admissions? Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date. Has found a college that is a strong match academically, socially and geographically. Early action plans are nonbinding—students get an early response to their application but don’t have to commit to the college until the standard reply date of May 1. Early Decision? Apply to only one college early decision. Some colleges offer a nonbinding option called single-choice early action, under which applicants may not apply ED or EA to any other college. Encourage those of your students who are applying early to prepare other applications as they wait to receive admission decisions from their first-choice college.Â. Unlike EA and REA, Early Decision is a binding early round application. Students and parents can use our Pros and Cons of Applying to College Early, in the Deciding About Early Decision and Early Action handout, to weigh their options. Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Most Early Decision and Early Action college application deadlines fall in October or on November 1. Probably the most apparent problem of applying under the Early Decision (ED) option is that if you receive early acceptance, you will get one—and only one—financial aid offer. For a range of reasons — from standardized test dates to busy fall schedules — some students simply can't get their applications complete by early November. What Is a Likely Letter in College Admissions? How to Handle College Deferrals, Waitlists, and Rejections. While applying early decision typically doesn't hurt an applicant's financial aid package, it does make it more difficult for the applicant to negotiate the aid package. Because of the usual deadlines for applications, this means that if a student is rejected by the ED college, there are only two weeks left to send in other applications. 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