Applying Early Decision

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm planning on applying early decision to my favorite college, and I think I have a shot at getting in (just like all the other thousands of applicants!) I'm wondering how thorough my college search and preparation should be this summer and next fall. What do people usually do? Please tell me if I'm not being clear. Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>First off, I’m assuming you understand the difference between early decision (ED) and early action (EA): <a href=“Early Decision and Early Action – Counselors | College Board”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early&lt;/a&gt;

  1. If accepted ED, you must immediately agree to attend the college and withdraw all your other applications to all other schools.
  2. By withdrawing your other applications you never will know where else you might have been accepted, and what financial aid package you might be offered by other schools. Generally students that need to compare financial aid offers should not apply early decision.</p>

<p>If you and your parents (as they have to pay for college) are okay with that option, you should have a back-up plan in case you are deferred or rejected from your ED school. That means creating a list of other colleges you might attend, visiting those schools if possible this summer, filling out the common app for those schools, writing supplemental essays for those schools and being ready to press the submit button in mid-Decemeber should things not work out with the ED school.</p>

3

<p>Darn! So I can’t decline an ED offer on financial grounds?? That changes a lot…</p>

4

<p>You can, but you shouldn’t go in planning on that to be your out. You need to assume that you’ll get a sufficient offer.</p>

5

<p>Unfortunately, you and your parents have to sign a letter stating that you understand the grounds of applying ED, and your guidance counselor has to also sign a letter. I strongly advise you, if you are needing financial aid, to NOT apply early decision. There are many schools that offer Early Action which usually are not binding. But you want to be able to “shop” financial aid packages. Keep in mind that if you actually dig deep and analyze the ED numbers, for many schools, applying ED does not increase your application odds – there are some that actually believe it can be harder for an “average” applicant to get in ED.</p>