Pros and Cons of Applying Early Decision
Early Decision can be a smart application strategy for the right student, family, and college. Before you make this commitment, let's talk through the pros and cons of applying Early Decision.
What Is Early Decision, Anyway?
First, let's understand what is meant by Early Decision. Early Decision is a commitment to one school. When you apply Early Decision, you are effectively telling that college, "If I'm accepted, I will enroll." That means you can apply Early Decision to one school only.
In recent years, somecolleges have begun offering two Early Decision options: Early Decision I, with a deadline of November 1 or 15, and Early Decision II, with a deadline in December or January. This second option allows students who were denied by their first-choice college in ED I to apply Early Decision to a second-choice college in ED II. Either way, when you apply Early Decision, you sign an agreement pledging that you will enroll if accepted.
Early Decision also means just that: When you apply Early Decision, you will receive an admissions decision earlier than you would if you applied Regular Decision.
Wait. I Can Only Apply to One School?!
No. You can apply Early Decision to one school only. But you can also apply Early Action or Regular Decision to as many other colleges as you like. You can also apply to colleges with rolling admissions, which notify students of admissions decisions within a few weeks of receiving your application.
But if your Early Decision college admits you, you must withdraw all other applications, accept the offer of admission, and submit your enrollment deposit. Your college search and application process is over!
But What About Financial Aid?
Affordability is key no matter which application strategy you choose. It doesn't matter where you've been accepted if you can't pay tuition, room, board, and other essential expenses.
Before applying Early Decision, use the Net Price Calculator on your first-choice college's website to get an estimate of your actual cost of attendance. If that number is out of reach, you may want to reconsider applying Early Decision.
Seriously, I Can't Change My Mind?!
While you won't be thrown in jail for breaking an Early Decision agreement, you should only do so under certain circumstances:
- Your financial aid package differs significantly from the estimate given by the Net Price Calculator, and the resulting cost of attendance is financially untenable.
- You have a family emergency, personal illness, or other major life change that prevents you from attending college at this time altogether.
If you do not have justifiable reasons for backing out of your Early Decision commitment, it truly is a matter of personal ethics and may negatively affect your other applications and potential offers of admission.
So Tell Me Again: Why Would I Want to Apply Early Decision?
If you have always dreamed of attending a particular college, if you visited that college and loved it, if that college offers the academic and cultural experience you desire, and if you can afford the price tag, then Early Decision could be a smart move for you!
Many colleges, especially smaller, highly selective colleges, fill a high percentage of each freshman class through Early Decision. That leaves far fewer spots available for Regular Decision applicants. Early Decision may give you an admissions advantage.
Early Decision also allows you to focus your college application process on a smaller number of schools. It is risky to apply Early Decision only and put all your eggs in one basket. But you can reduce the number of other applications you plan to submit, knowing that if your first-choice college admits you, your search is over.