As if college admissions is not confusing enough, students also need to decide whether they want to apply to a school early decision, early action or regular decision. Never have there been more options. As a college consultant, I want parents and students to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each before making any decisions. For now, let's talk about early decision. Early decision is for students who have thoroughly researched their college options and have decided that this is without question the school they want to attend. Early decision allows students to submit a college application in the beginning of November and usually receive a college decision in mid to late December. Students can be accepted, rejected or deferred to the regular admission pool. If students are rejected, they have two weeks to send out other applications if they have not already done so. If deferred, it means that a college wants to see additional grades or test scores before making a final decision. Early decision is a binding agreement which means that students are committed to attending this college if they are accepted. Students also agree to withdraw applications submitted to other colleges or universities. This binding agreement is taken seriously by a school and if a student chooses not to attend, there can be repercussions from other colleges. This is particularly true in the Ivy League. What are the advantages of early decision? 1. Students will receive a decision from a college by mid to late December. 2. Students can be done with the college admissions process earlier. 3. The early decision applicant pool is smaller than regular decision. 4. You are demonstrating to a college that they are your first choice and that can have some bearing on their decision. 5. Some colleges accept a larger percentage of students from their early decision applicant pool than they do from regular decision. Are there any disadvantages? 1. Early decision forces you to decide on a school before you know what your other college options might be. 2. Things can change from November to May and many high school seniors are not ready to commit to a school in December or early January. 3. Students do not have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages from other schools. 4. Some students are not competitive enough applicants to be considered for early decision. They also do not have a chance to submit their senior grades or stronger SAT or ACT scores from a later test date. 5. Too many students apply early decision even though they are unable to make a clear cut decision between two or more schools. Early decision is not to be taken lightly, nor should it be used as a strategy for college admissions. Is it the right decision for your high school senior?
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As if college admissions is not confusing enough, students also need to decide whether they want to apply to a school early decision, early action or regular decision. The most controversial of these is early decision. What are the advantages and disadvantages of early decision?
To sign up for a free monthly college planning newsletter that provides great advice for families with college-bound students, go to http://www.collegedirection.org. Susie Watts is a college admissions consultant in Denver, Colorado. She assists students with their college search, applications and essays, and college assistance throughout the college admissions process.
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