I just checked, and Stonehill offers both non-binding Early Action and binding Early Decision:
http://www.stonehill.edu/admission/deadlines/early-decision-vs-early-action/
With ED you are, at the time you apply, committing to attending. You will get your decision and presumably the financial aid package on Dec 15.
With EA it’s not binding, and they notify you by Jan 1, but I’m thinking that if you apply early in the fall, you might hear before that. You need to find out if that’s the case. Another key question is, when do they let you know about financial aid? BC, I believe, doesn’t let admitted EA applicants know about FA until the spring.
@hs2015mom please read post 39
@BatesParent2019 - they crossed in the mail 
Just found a cool thing that Stonehill does that more schools should do, an Early Decision Financial Assistance Estimate:
http://www.stonehill.edu/admission/tuition-financial-aid/early-decision-estimate/
@masscatholicgirl
Let’s review your profile. 4.2 weighted GPA, 9 AP and IB classes. Top 5% of your class. Hispanic Female. St. Timothy Award winner in Boston, where a gazillion Catholic kids live. Ward of the State, your ECS are fantastic because they are so genuine.
Of course you need a safety or three, but you have a great hand to play.
If a Timothy Award winner with those ECs grades, demographic and course load doesn’t get into Holy Cross, I would faint.
There are also some LACs where you can apply for an expense paid weekend visit based on your demographic.
@BatesParent2019 makes a great point. It’s wonderful that you love Stonehill, but do give Holy Cross a look. You may fall in love with it, too.
@BatesParents2019,
So, as of now I’ll be definitely applying to Holy Cross EA, Stonehill EA, and UMass Amherst EA. I’ve yet to look at Bates and Conn but would love to apply there as well
Since you are URM, Holy Cross should be ED.
@BatesParents2019 makes sense, and they’ve given me the most financial aid according to the NPC!!
Yes, also talk to your parish priest to see if he knows anyone at HC.
Holy Cross doesn’t have EA, and has an unusual ED. You apply by Dec 15, the usual response date for Nov 1 ED, and decisions are rolling:
http://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/apply
This thread from last year shows kids finding out a month after applying, so applying early on would be good.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-holy-cross/1711135-any-early-decision-applicants-hear-back-yet.html#latest
@hs2015mom whoops – thank you so much!!!
I suggest you look at higher ranked schools–Stonehill is not very selective and is in a totally different league than Holy Cross–Boston College, BU are also possibilities. St. Anselm is very nice school, but small and think it might only get smaller as time goes by BUT it does have a good political science program and with the Presidential election next year New Hampshire could be an exciting place.
Thank you, @Booksmart27! My SATs are too low for BU and BC, definitely. I have an 1800 total, but 1110 CR+M (670+440). I just retook the SATs yesterday, but, I don’t know if I’ll have improved in math. I am majorly looking for an SAT optional, Catholic college. I’ve heard great things about St. Anselm, so I will check it out. Do they offer good financial aid?
St. Anselm is very generous to both need and non-need students. Lots of students get significant merit aid so be sure to apply EA if you do apply to HC ED. Any idea about career plans? That can help narrow the field of choices.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. For instance St Anselm has a cost of >$50K/year. The average merit award is $12K. http://www.anselm.edu/Documents/Institutional%20Research/2014/CDS%2014-15%20Section%20H%20Financial%20Aid.pdf That doesn’t get you very far.
@Booksmart27, I want to major in Poli Sci and am choosing between becoming a laywer or professor (but will most likely eventually do both)
Fairfield in Connecticut is test-optional and Jesuit. Don’t know how generous their financial aid is but run the NPC.
Catholic University (DC) is also now test optional. The financial aid there is getting better. It is a really nice, friendly school and a great choice if you want to study politics. Londondad
Emmanuel College (in Boston) is test optional. I don’t know how generous their financial aid is but they offer both merit and need based funding. I know a couple of guys who teach in the history department there and they are terrific.