<p>This is one of those articles that means something different to everyone, so I thought I'd put it out there.</p>
<p>The major issue that I have with ED is that it caters to the rich, to the student whose family can guarantee $100k-$175k for a 4-year education. So those who know that they have the assets up front for an education can apply ED. Most middle class, working class and financially challenged students can't really apply ED.</p>
<p>For the ED process to really be fair, an early decision regarding financial aid has to accompany a college's early invitation to a student, or the student has to be allowed to communicate upfront and honestly (without any penalty in the admissions process) exactly how much financial is needed in order to accept an ED invitation from a college!</p>
<p>The other issue for me is that I don't see adcoms looking for diversity during the ED process, but instead searching for what they may view as the "cream of the crop," i.e. the perfect student with the highest GPA, SAT, most impressive ECs, etc. (I could be wrong) During the ED review process, adcoms don't have time for student interviews, feedback, etc. They don't have time to get to know the student pool of applicants. The RD process is really when adcoms can take a look at opening the school up to a diverse pool of students.</p>
<p>The ED period is really for the elite student applicant! I just don't know too many "regular people" who can apply ED.</p>
<p>um actually no, the ED process does come w/ financial aid info as long as you submit the css profile by the requested deadline, and they still look at applications hollistically, there is still an interview and all that jazz, it's just up to the student to meet the deadlines if they want it. Also, i know alot of regular people applying ED as well as extremely bright students, whether you want to admit it or not ED does have a broad array of students and is a good representation of what to expect in the RD pool of applicants, just in smaller quantities.</p>
<p>haha, ok...ok, I stand corrected!</p>
<p>Early Decision honestly seems like a flawed system to me (in terms of who gets in) but a great system for people with money and the ambition to go into a certain school. </p>
<p>You parents can pay, you apply Early, your chances of admission go up 10% for some Ivies and 20% for some top 10/20 schools. WOW. </p>
<p>Knowing you are binded to attend that university, the school can require you to pay 40,000 if they want. </p>
<p>ANd i think there are alot more shockers -esp at my school this year - of people who got in Early and those who did not.</p>
<p>Haha, also you have to remember that while there is less time for early decision applications to be reviewed, there are also a lot fewer applicants to review, even though the number is increasing.</p>
<p>...People are always hating on rich white people :(</p>
<p>Regular income families, not Pell Grant families or top 5-10% families in annual income or assets, but those families that make up the vast majority $45-90K a year, would be foolhardy to apply anywhere ED. To argue that ED doesn't favor those that can clearly see their FA destiny is at best naive. Talk to any reputable expert in college FA and they will tell you the same thing. 100% of them. </p>
<p>The Early FA award estimates are just that - estimates. The FA calculators at CB and finaid can do @ as good a job if you work hard enough and do your research, but if those modalities calculate a $27K EFC on a $85K income that kid still shouldn't apply ED. Now if its $3000-sure , apply ED. Or $130K. Sure, apply ED. </p>
<p>The high-achieving un-hooked public school middle class student who happens to be White (or in some locales White or Asian) has a tough row to hoe in selective college admissions. "Not hating, just debating." As always, just my opinion.</p>
<p>I completely agree. Poor "normal" academically excellent people with happy families who work hard for what they get.</p>
<p>right on, curmudgeon</p>
<p>Plain and simple, ED is not for those who cannot afford to pay the full ticket price - if they offer you a package and it is insufficient, or overloaded with loans vs. grant money, you're stuck. WHen you need FA, you need to be able to compare packages and do the best you can.</p>