<p>I know I stumbled on this thread a little late, but I’d like to add my thoughts on the subject. I think eliminating the early admission program makes a lot of sense for the in-demand colleges of Engineering and Business. Because of their national rankings and reputations, the College of Business and the College of Engineering attract the best and brightest students. (in-state, out-of-state and international students)</p>
<p>At the same time, those high achieving students are applying to multiple prestigious universities. Elite students usually have more options available to them, because of the hard work they have put into their studies and extra-curricular activities. Early admission was placing UIUC at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Look at the situation from the University’s point of view. Each applicant had to be evaluated from within the pool of early applicants, without the benefit of knowing the caliber of the “regular” applicant pool. A “line in the sand” so to speak had to be drawn. Accept those above a certain cut-off, defer those below it, while still leaving enough ‘spaces’ open for those who did not apply by the early admission date. </p>
<p>And remember, the University is working within the realm that it has no idea know what percentage of early admits will accept the early admission.</p>
<p>Now from the elite student’s point of view: early admission is a “nice to know”. One would assume that UIUC is not their reach school. They’re probably going to get accepted to multiple schools. They’re probably also going to weigh financial incentives. Offering them early admission will not guarantee an acceptance.</p>
<p>At the same time, there will be students who fall below that “line in the sand” - deferred students who will be discouraged, possibly intimidated, who may accept an offer from a less selective school. And let’s not even talk about money. UIUC is a great school of higher learning, but it does lack funds to give much financial assistance. </p>
<p>Anyway, I just wanted to express how I view the elimination of the early admission program. I am an alumni, who has one child in the College of Business and another, who is a senior applying to UIUC. 
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