Early Decision and Early Action: Deciding and Meeting Deadlines

It is this time of year that many of you start to question whether or not or where to apply Early Decision or Early Action. Early Decision is binding, meaning that if you get in you are obligated to go to that school provided your financial need is met. Early Action is not binding, so there is no downside to applying Early Action as long as you do not feel rushed.

Many students start to question their previous passion about a school that they were certain they would apply Early Decision only two months ago. This questioning is normal and typical; this is the biggest decision that you (and your family) will make thus far in your educational life and if you did not have questions, then I would be worried.

Finally, this year there is an additional pressure to apply ED if you are certain because schools have become increasingly competitive and are filling a greater percentage of their class through Early Decision. So how do you decide?

EARLY DECISION

You should apply Early Decision if you can answer 'yes' to the following questions:

•  Are you 100% certain that this school is a good fit for you academically, socially, and within your financial means?
• Is this school in the possible or reach category and are you using Early Decision to boost your chances?
• Does this school keep jumping to the top of the list no matter how many other schools you visit?
• If you didn't get into this school because you did not apply early, would you regret it?
•  Will you be able to attend this school regardless of the financial or merit based aid that you receive?
• Have you taken all of the necessary tests, e.g. SAT subject tests (if required)?

If you have answered 'yes' to all of these questions, then you should apply Early Decision. If however, there are any nagging uncertainties, then listen to them and wait to apply under regular decision or Early Decision 2, if applicable. Also if you need financial assistance for college, then in most instances, you should not apply Early Decision. (Some schools do offer their best financial aid packages to Early Decision candidates, but you need to be sure that your school is among them.)  Most schools will also do an early read for financial aid, so if you money is a concern, call the financial aid office and determine your Expected Family Contribution for that school or if you may be eligible for merit aid.

EARLY ACTION

You should apply Early Action if you can answer 'yes' to the following questions.

•  Have you had enough time to prepare your applications to your satisfaction?
• Are you in the top 10-15% of a particular school's incoming class?  
• Have you taken the necessary tests, e.g. SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests as applicable and are you satisfied with the scores?
• Are your grades through junior year representative of your best work?
• Do you want the peace of mind to have your applications in early?

If however, your grades have steadily improved and you need your senior year grades to illustrate your progress, it may be best to wait until regular decision. Many schools will defer you to regular decision if they feel like they want to see how your senior year grades hold up.

Many schools have restrictions on where else you can apply Early if you apply Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action however, you can apply Early Action to multiple schools. You may also apply regular decision as well as Early Decision, but you will need to withdraw all of your outstanding applications once you have been accepted under Early Decision.  

So if you are applying Early Decision/Action, most deadlines are November 1 or November 15, but many of the southern schools are as early as October 15.  Now is the time to step it up and finalize everything to meet your deadlines.  Given the technical glitches with the new Common Application version, I recommend applying at least five days before the deadline so that you can manage any technical difficulties that may arise.