Between building your college application timeline, finalizing your list, and submitting completed files, you’re likely to have thought about whether or not you’ll apply early action/decision, and if so, where? With the decision to apply early comes important considerations in terms of pace, strategy, and your profile. While this blog is by no means comprehensive of EVERYTHING worth considering based on your qualifications, school choice, and experience, we hope it gives you a place to start when thinking about early applications.
We find that students make more informed application choices when they’re aware of not only the important distinctions between applying early action and early decision, but also what it means for their timeline and odds of admission. That’s why we’ve written this blog to help you make the choice to apply early for yourself. If at the end, you have more questions about what this decision looks like from your unique perspective, we’re happy to schedule a consultation to discuss specifics.
Understanding Early Action/Early Decision
Keep in mind that the way individual colleges and universities handle their application pools can vary. It’s important to do school-specific research as to how they handle their applications, but generally, schools may have rounds I and II of early action/decision, which can influence how you choose to apply.
Early action is a non-binding option that allows students to apply early, typically by November 1st, with the benefit of early admission pool consideration and a decision sometimes by mid-December instead of April. The same is true for early decision candidates. However, the difference is that- since early action is a non-binding option, students are not required to attend if accepted and are free to compare financial aid offers from every school they apply to.
Early decision, on the other hand, is a binding agreement that requires students to commit to attending a specific college if accepted. If a student is accepted to a school to which they applied to under early decision, they are required to withdraw all other applications. This means that while you might gain a slight strategic edge with a school you’re desperate to attend, you won’t have the option of comparing offers from other schools or waiting to see if you would have gotten other additional acceptances.
The Advantages
One of the most compelling reasons to apply early is the sometimes significant potential boost it has on your admission chances. Many colleges accept a higher percentage of students from their early application pools than from their regular decision pools. Why? Students who take the time to apply early are already likely highly motivated individuals and applying out of an elevated point of interest in the school, and therefore likely to attend. This is especially important for universities where the yield rate, the percentage of admitted students who actually attend, is a value.
Another major advantage of applying early is that students who apply early receive their decisions far before regular decision applicants, who haven’t always even finished applying by mid-December. While Marks Education never recommends relying solely on your early action/decision choice to the point where you don’t prepare any other applications, it does potentially mean less time stressing and waiting to hear back if you’re admitted to your first-choice school.
Financial Aid
Another advantage of applying early is the chance at an early financial estimate of what it’ll take to pay for college. Though early decision is binding even if the financial aid package doesn’t compare well with the price net estimation calculator, many colleges will provide preliminary financial aid packages for early applicants. This allows students to compare their financial aid with their financial needs and make arrangements where possible. For Early Action students, colleges share the same commitment to providing early financial estimates so that you’re best equipped to evaluate multiple financial aid offers.
However, we want to be clear and warn students to be cautious when applying early decision. Since it is a binding agreement, you will not have the chance to compare financial aid offers from different schools. This means that you’ll still be expected to attend even if you cannot afford the tuition bill. Thus, it is exceptionally important to research the college’s financial aid policies beforehand and ensure you’re making the right decision for yourself and your future.
When Waiting for Regular Decision Might be Better
While early action and early decision can offer many advantages, they’re still not the right option for everyone, and they certainly don’t guarantee admissions. Some students might benefit from waiting to apply regular decision. This could be the case for students hoping to improve their academic record before applying or those who want to sit for an additional standardized test.
There is no “right” way to apply; we just urge families to consider all of their options carefully beforehand. Applying early isn’t necessarily a surefire way to get in and can sometimes lead to more stress than it’s worth– causing you to submit an application that doesn’t present you at your best. Colleges still accept many students from their regular decision pools, and there is every reason to believe you could be one of them with the right effort and preparation.
Conclusion
We encourage all students to evaluate their application decisions carefully and weigh them against their level of interest, financial situation, and academic and extracurricular profile before deciding. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, they can make informed choices that best support their academic and personal goals.
Need help deciding what application path is best for you or your students? Contact us now for a FREE consultation. We offer essay packages and hourly consultations to meet the needs of every student. Don’t wait! Spots fill up!