<p>Hey everyone. I’m a senior thinking of applying to American early decision this fall. I just have a few questions. If I apply early decision does it give me a better chance of getting in or receiving a merit scholarship? Would it decrease my chances of getting tripled in the dorms? And lastly, would applying early give me a better chance of getting into the Honors Program?</p>
<p>In case it is relevant to your answers, my SAT scores are 660 (Math), 730 (Verbal), and my overall weighted GPA is 4.24. I earned scores of 4 on the AP World History and AP US History tests at the end of 10th and 11th grades, and I plan on taking AP tests in English Lit, Spanish, US Government, Psychology, Statistics, and European History at the end of this year. </p>
<p>My son applied to AU early decision last year and has never regretted it. As far as answering your questions, applying ED certainly boosts your chances of getting in and decreases your chance of getting tripled, because ED acceptees send in their deposits in January…and as housing is assigned in the order in which housing deposits are received, ED acceptees are way ahead of the game because their deposits are in before other applicants receive their acceptances!</p>
<p>I think your scores might be a bit low for the honors program, but that’s not my call. However, merit $$$ is sometimes given to students who are not in the honors program. You might be able to get more certain info on these concerns by calling or emailing your admissions rep.</p>
<p>I was awarded great merit aid, although I wasn’t initially accepted to the honors program. However I applied my sophomore year and was accepted. So don’t worry if you don’t get in right away!</p>
<p>These are good questions about ED at AU. So far I can see three concrete advantages to ED: (1) earlier peace of mind; (2) no need to pull together apps for other schools that have Jan deadlines (given Dec notification of ED status); and (3) assurance of not being tripled in housing. Any other concrete advantages, like the ones lionchick asked about?</p>
<p>I believe that when my son was accepted ED, he also received some sort of priority in class registration…I am not sure about that because he also came in with enough hours from AP exams that he had a good shot at the classes he wanted any way.</p>
<p>Hi all; thought I’d clear up a few of the questions here regarding Early Decision…</p>
<p>Admission rates under Early Decision are, statistically speaking, higher than those under Regular Decision. My take on our admissions rates is that we are more likely to find a stronger “fit” with candidates under Early Decision (as these students are very directed towards AU) than Regular Decision, hence the higher admit rate. There is no statistical advantage for Early Decision candidates in the awarding of merit scholarships or selection for the Honors Program. Historically, Early Decision candidates have enjoyed some additional perks too; priority housing placement, course registration, etc. There has been some internal discussion noting that these types of perks may run counter to admissions good practices (meaning that some outside parties might view them as “incentives” for students to apply under Early Decision). So I suppose I’d say stay tuned through the admissions cycle to see what we continue to offer our deposited Early Decision students by way of some of these perks.</p>
<p>@newdad - I would say you’re right on your first two points but there’s nothing specific in any of our practices to insure that Early Decision students will not be tripled. I’m sure it rarely happens, but just wanted to be clear. As to any other concrete advantages, none are popping into my head. The reason why Early Decision exists at AU is to allow those students who know that AU is their first choice to find out their admissions decision at an earlier date and end their college search process at that point. Anything that comes after that is sort of icing on the cake for students.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your input, it’s been really helpful. I actually have one more question. </p>
<p>If I do decide to apply early decision and don’t get in, what does that mean? Will I be bumped into the regular decision applicant pool or put on the wait list? Does not getting in early admission mean that I just didn’t get into AU? I’m a little confused about what would happen in that scenario. Again, thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.</p>
<p>@lionchick - if a student is denied under the Early Decision admissions round then, unfortunately, there is no further admissions consideration granted in that year’s admissions cycle.</p>