Request for a Crash Course on ED Process

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>I'm a little confused on the chronology of the application process. I'm still a junior so I have time but I just wanted to get this straight before the time comes D: What I know so far is that we have to apply via the CommonApp and before Nov. 1st. </p>

<p>September: sign up for common app account, start application
November 1st: application + writing supplement due
Nov~Dec: Interviews?
December: get notified about decisions for ED, accept or decline if you don't like the finaid.
January: Re-Apply RD if weren't accepted ED? </p>

<p>-Is it true that we can't make a common app account until we start our senior year?
-Should I start thinking about the Why Penn essay now or is it subject to change? EDIT: oops seems like it changed this year into something else for the 2014 applicants.
-When/where do we send our transcripts/SAT/ACT scores? Is it part of the commonapp form or do we have to send physical copies before Nov. 1st?
-Where/when do we submit information about financial aid? I'm aware that Penn gives grants and financial aid packages, etc but when and how do we tell them that we need finaid? Is this part of the commonapp as well? </p>

<p>I sincerely apologize is this thread was made before by someone else, I couldn't find it. And I'm sorry about my lack of knowledge on these the process, I just need a sort of 'timeline of events' that should take place during my senior year so I can better manage my time. Thanks a bunch for your time!</p>

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<p>you can start the common app earlier than September. supplements, which are different for each school if they have one, also are released in different times.
11/1 = correct
Nov/Dec = correct, but whether you have an interview or not has a minute effect on your application.
Dec = yes. By default you are accepted and you can only decline if the FA is bad.
Jan = no; if you are deferred your application goes with the RD applications. </p>

<p>I think you can make a common app account but since they get deleted every year there’s no point now.</p>

<p>you’ll have the option to send those standardized scores on the collegeboard website. it’s straightforward and you send it to each of your applied schools. bear in mind that they cost $$ to send but iirc the first few are free.</p>

<p>you declare on the common app that you will need financial aid but you fill out the forms on the fafsa website.</p>

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<p>There is no need to re-apply. There are 3 outcomes for a ED application

  1. Accepted … need to decide if the FA is OK before you hear from other schools
  2. Deferred … your application is added to the RD pool of applicants
  3. Rejected … you are done with this school; you can NOT re-apply for the RD for this year</p>

<p>PS - you can reapply to the school … but it would have to be the following year.</p>

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<p>@excavalier : Thanks! Very informative and short and sweet! Helped a bunch thanks :)</p>

<p>3togo: Thank you for the clarification! Means a lot thanks :)</p>

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<p>Reminder that if you apply in the ED application round at Penn that you’ll likely be limited in your application round choices at some other schools. </p>

<p>Examples being:</p>

<p>—Can’t apply ED anywhere else but Penn then, as ED is “binding” and you might get accepted at both places.</p>

<p>—Can’t apply EA at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Georgetown (and many others too I’m sure) if you apply ED round anywhere. Make sure you check each college’s rules.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the replies!
I have another question regarding early decision, I heard from one of my peers that you can start applying for early decision summer before senior year and hear about your acceptance before September of your senior year. I’m not sure if it was because it was a different school but I wanted to clarify if this was true for upenn as well. Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Not true for Penn. I believe you can start your application the summer before your senior year, but the date you and every other ED applicant find out if you are accepted is the same. Your friend might be thinking of a school with rolling admissions, which is an entirely different thing.</p>

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<p>I agree with parentofthepeople. No, you can’t apply and get a decision “extra early” for the ED round or any other round of admission at Penn. Last year it was “app in by Nov 1st” and “ED round decision by Dec 12th” for all ED applicants as an fyi.</p>

<p>Indiana and a number of other universities do have “rolling admissions”, which means the sooner you get your application in then the sooner you’ll get a decision. Using that type of admission for a safety is often a good idea so that you’ll have your safety acceptance very early, which is great for peace of mind.</p>

<p>And if you’re shooting for ivy then my above example, Indiana University, is a great alternative safety choice as you get (1) a quick answer, and (2) they have a top 15 rated 4-year business program + an honors college.</p>