Special Application...fee waived...non binding...What are these?

Applying to College
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<p>Dean's Choice Application
Select Student Application</p>

<h2>[INSERT NAME] Scholar Application</h2>

<p>A lot of 2nd and 3rd tier schools, mainly liberal arts colleges, have these non-binding, early decision applications. I've recieved a couple, some of them waive the application fee. But do these mean anything? Are they just another marketing technique to allure applicants?</p>

<p>Though all are individualized to the school, most of then include these key phrases...</p>

<p>-non-binding
-quick, early decision
-earlyconsiderartion for scholarships
-APPLY NOW!</p>

<p>I am considering completing one of these special applications, but that one also waived my fee.</p>

<p>Are schools trying to target students they want or are they sending these in bulk, hoping for more applicants? And should I not be swayed by any of these offers, even if they may come from good schools?</p>

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<p>cre8tive -
good question. my d is receiving some of these as well. some even are "fast track" w/no essay question required. have you seen those too?</p>

<p>some are mail in, some are on-line.</p>

<p>are you National Merit?</p>

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<p>They are trying to increase their numbers of strong students. You probably also are fast tracked to merit aid by such colleges. I seem to remember that in previous years, Tulane did things like that as did University of Pittsburgh.</p>

<p>Try searching the archives of CC because each fall this subject comes up with outstanding students being amazed at the quick admissions and scholarship offers some colleges give them.</p>

<p>Be careful, however, because last year, a student took U Pittsburgh up on its offer for, I think, a free, easy application and a quick decision. When U Pittsburgh accepted her virtually right away and offered great merit aid, her parents started twisting her arm to go there instead of applying to the Ivy that she wanted to attend (and where her parents would have had to pay big bucks for her to go).</p>

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<p>Haha, how can UPitt's application get ANY easier? Maybe if you omitted SAT Scores or GPA...lol. Must have been just quick decision because it is a spartan app from what I hear</p>

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<p>Nope, my PSATs were only slightly above average, and my SATs are in the 1300's. </p>

<p>Also, I've seen fast tracks for schools like Susquehanna, Hartwick, and Siena.</p>

<p>But what suprises me is when they come from schools like Purdue, Michigan State, and notable liberal arts schools like Colby and Dickinson.</p>

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<p>I'm sending a couple in because I would of applied (or was thinking about it) anyway. My parents are happy about saving a hundred or two and I can find out about acceptance or scholarships early. I know one student that did this last year and got 3/4 covered by one school but went to another for a sport. If they are doing it to get more apps and I want to apply anyway, why pay for it? I think it is also more likely an EA that really isn't for everyone. A lot of kids get them, but not all, at least at my school.</p>