Early Decision: an affront to educational equality.

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I've done some research and read a lot on the topic of Early Decision applications, and I've come to a singular conclusion-- they unfairly bias the admissions process towards the wealthy.</p>

<p>Those who apply Early Decision MUST (in theory) enroll at their selected school, regardless of the financial aid package they receive. Due to this, if I am a poor student, I would not apply Early Decision because I may not be able to afford the fee for that college. Now, all of this would be well and good if it were not for the fact that EARLY DECISION APPLICANTS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO BE ADMITTED. </p>

<p>So, basically, we're left with a system where the rich, regardless of how well qualified they are, are given an inherent advantage. We have a system where you can buy better odds.</p>

2

<p>Actually NO.
Rich people are likely to be admitted because they’ll have slightly better chances,chances which a ‘poor’ student won’t get like Study Abroads or a trip to some place etc. and naturally it isn’t expected out of a low income student to be doing that.This is where the role of your personal statement stands out.You speak through your application and you let the admissions committee know about your circumstance and that you took the hardest courseload,challenged yourself and squeezed every bit of opportunity that came your way.</p>

<p>Yes, ED is binding but with a clause that one can turn down the acceptance ONLY if one feels the aid given was not what a family expected but which is rarely a case because the max amount is shelled out during ED,as both student and college have a commitment towards each other. Ex. Carnegie Mellon Univ.</p>

<p>And Yes,then there are parents who have donated a few millions to a college which maybe a reason for the lopsidedness.
Please be positive :)</p>

3

<p>

Rich parents probably read more bedtime stories to their kids, too, than poor parents do.</p>

<p>NEWS FLASH: athletes and certain ethnicities also have better odds of getting admitted.</p>

4

<p>“I would not apply Early Decision because I may not be able to afford the fee for that college.”</p>

<p>Here’s the rule showing why this concern is unfounded:

<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>So if the ED financial aid offer is insufficient to support attendance, you say thanks but no thanks, and apply elsewhere RD.</p>

5

<p>The OP has a point. I heard this point being made by the Dean of Admission of Harvard University when he visited our high school two years ago. This is why some of the ivies and other top schools have gone from ED to EA.</p>

<p>It is also MHO that the commitment that ED demands is great for the 17-yr-old applicant and small for the institution. Young people will and can be expected to change their minds. The institution can simply accept more RD applicants if the ED yield is less than 100%. In addition, they have their waiting lists. It should not be such a big deal for them.</p>

6

<p>Some schools are need-blind for US citizens and commit to meet 100% demonstrated financial need, especially those small Liberal Arts Colleges.</p>