HI, I plan on applying early to some colleges this fall as I am going to be a senior this fall and I was wondering if it is worth applying early application as I’ve heard from some people that getting denied in early application increases the chances of getting rejected in a normal application. Also, my ACT score isn’t too good right now and this fall ACT will be implementing so I can walk into the test center, take just one section, and then walk out. So generally I am just trying to get a clear answer as to if applying early application will affect my chances of normal application and if I should wait it out until normal decision due to my ACT and my low GPA
Being deferred early (at colleges that do not reject any or many early) means that you are either on the borderline or a clear reject (if you are a clear admit, you would have been admitted early), so your chance in the regular decision round is known to be lower. Note that this is only a revealing of information early, not an effect on your actual chance of admission.
In most cases, it is advantageous to apply early. Rolling admission colleges may get more selective later as they fill up. ED is a strong expression of interest, so that helps at colleges that use that as a factor in admission, and colleges using ED want to lock down a portion of their incoming class early to reduce the risk of yield not matching estimates. But you can only have one ED application out at a time. Non-binding EA may be advantageous at some colleges that offer it.
2 Questions, 1-How do colleges know if I filled out more than one ED, 2-What are the reasons for which I AM allowed to turn down ED
There are a couple of ways to apply early. Some schools offer admission on a rolling basis, and there seems to be an advantage to applying early to these schools. Some schools offer “early acceptance” or EA, which is not binding. Often EA applicants are accepted at a higher rate than RD applicants, but if you are accepted you can wait and see what happens with your other applications and make your decision in the spring. If you find some EA schools that you like and that are a reasonable match with your current ACT scores and GPA, applying EA might be a way to take some pressure off, as you may receive some acceptances before Christmas. Then there is ED, which is discussed above. ED is binding, so if you accepted, you are obligated to go except in narrow circumstances (you need to read the ED contract for the detail). You shouldn’t apply ED unless you are absolutely sure you want to attend that school.
ED agreements typically allow backing out after being admitted only if the net price is unaffordable. You must do this in a short time after the admission, so you will not have the opportunity to compare all of your other admission offers and their net prices.
Apply ED to a college only if it is a top no-regrets choice that is affordable (use its net price calculator to get a financial aid estimate before applying).
If a college you applied ED to defers or rejects you, you are then free to apply ED to a different college.
You also need to explore how each college treats its early applicants. Some colleges don’t really give much of a boost to ED unless you are a hooked applicant, while at others it is a significant boost. Some colleges seem more favorably disposed to EA applicants, while for others there is no appreciable benefit and/or the majority get deferred.
As for “How do colleges know if I filled out more than one ED”, I had assumed that the common app would not allow more than one outstanding ED application at a time? Is this assumption incorrect?
You will need to register for any individual section tests you want to take…one can’t just walk in.
Only schools that superscore the ACT are likely to accept these section test scores…so look at the schools on your list to make this determination. Note that policies may change/be updated over the summer so you will need to check again before applying.
Said differently, if a school doesn’t superscore the ACT (and there are many of those), the section tests won’t be accepted.
That’s correct…Common app won’t allow more than one ED submission. But in theory an applicant could fill out another ED via the Coalition App, or by using a school’s own app, but it’s still against the rules.
ED agreements are signed by the student, GC, and typically parents. I doubt any GC would sign a second (or multiple) ED agreements. If one applies and/or is accepted to multiple ED schools, and the schools find out, applications and/or admission can be withdrawn.
True story…D19 had a friend who applied ED and REA to two schools (REA school didn’t allow an ED app and is not on common app), and another student reported her to the ED school. Suffice it to say she was not accepted at the ED school. Caused quite the hullaboo at the HS, including the GC who was in hot water too.
Certainty is valuable to both schools and students. ED (and to a lesser extent EA) are you trading your guaranteed attendance for a better chance at being offered a spot. You are indicating a very clear preference for that individual school, and with ED you are giving your word. Just as it’s sort of trashy to go around telling everyone you love them, and worse if you say you’ll marry them, you can’t be committing to a lot of schools. Grow up and make choices. It’s that time of life.
Guidance counselors (and by proxy their schools) can get bad reputations if they are caught doing this. The next kid that the GC sends along with an ED letter might not get full consideration if there’s concern an admit will be met with a thin “too expensive” when a better offer comes in. If you’re coming from a school that has a steady stream of top students you’ll find that your GCs are very careful about this reputation.
No advantage, if you aren’t a good match, in the first place.
If you are hoping to get your GPA and ACT up then applying early may not be the best option.