As seniors are getting ready to pounce on all the intricacies of the college admissions process, many will be faced with the decision of whether to apply as an early admission candidate. When I first became a school counselor in 1982, the hype was not as intense as it is now. However, it's almost three decades and the scenario has changed. The problem I see now is that many students are confused by their perception of what this means for them in an admissions decision AND is it really necessary for every senior to apply early?
The most notable early admission options include Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). To make the right choices, it's imperative that students become familiar with each and always ask questions when in doubt.
Until the early 90's, I could count on one hand my seniors who applied ED. I did have several whom I considered to be viable candidates, but they said they preferred to wait and weigh options. "To weigh options" referred to financial packages and acceptances offered to them. Most did not feel the pressure of second-guessing an admissions committee in order to "make the cut." I do remember a few who told me they wanted to apply ED so they could finish the process early and sit back and chill, if accepted. WRONG ANSWER..then and now. Acceptances are conditional and can be rescinded, so don't chill and get that undocumented disease known as senioritis.
Earlier, if a senior applied ED, and was rejected, the odds were high that the application was automatically rolled over to regular decision. However, that is not the case now, so I recommend a senior ask a college about the outcome of a rejected ED; especially, if the student is a borderline ED candidate. The student might present better as a regular candidate. Also, to play devil's advocate, if the admissions reader wasn't impressed with you in the first review, will those same opinions recur during the second evaluation?
You should always read the fine print in the college application process because ED is 99.9% binding. You can only apply to one college ED. You will acknowledge this agreement on the application with your signature. If accepted ED, and you apply to other colleges EA or regular decision, you must relinquish the applications. If you are not 100% positive about the college, or if financial concerns exist, ED is probably not your best choice.
I like to portray EA as a cousin of ED; related but different. You can still apply early; the exception is it's non-binding. However, again, read the fine print. There are some Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Single-Choice programs. If the program is restrictive, you may not be allowed to apply ED to another college. I know an anxious senior's brain is vulnerable to overload, so I always suggest asking a college to explain their EA policy. If the response is not clear, ask for clarification until you fully understand.
Another early admission practice is priority. Students familiar with University of Maryland-College Park are aware of this process. Students must apply by the early November deadline for consideration. Their goal is to improve their chance for admission.
The current attraction to early admission, for seniors, is that many colleges will offer their largest yield of acceptances to this group of candidates. Now, for a reality check, is every senior who applies ED, EA, or priority actually qualified for admission under these programs? Actually, no, and some could best be served waiting for regular decision. Even in the "old days," most colleges would let you know that they were looking for "the cream of the crop" in the ED pool. So even though applying early admission can show a sign of "demonstrated interest," you will still need to meet the admission requirements.
If the only criteria for college acceptance would be an early application, imagine the lines at post offices on November 1st. There's more to the process than just submitting an application early, so you can get a fast reply. You need to determine if early admission works for you in finding the right college.
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