Are you eager to secure your spot at your dream college as soon as possible? Do you want to avoid the stress and uncertainty of waiting for regular admission decisions? If so, you might be considering applying to college through early decision.
Early decision is a type of early admission program that allows you to apply to one college by a November deadline and receive a decision by December or January. It sounds appealing, but there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of before you commit to this option.
In this article, we will explain what early decision is, how it differs from other early admission programs, what the benefits and drawbacks are, and how to decide if it is right for you.
What is Early Decision?
Early decision (ED) is an accelerated college application process that requires you to submit your application by an early deadline, usually in November. You will then receive a decision from the college before the end of the year, typically in December or January.
Unlike regular admission, which is non-binding, early decision is a binding agreement. This means that if you are accepted, you must enroll at that college and withdraw all your other applications. You can only apply to one college through early decision, but you can still apply to other colleges through regular admission or other non-binding early admission programs, such as early action or rolling admission. However, you must withdraw those applications if you are accepted through early decision.
Early decision is not the same as early action, which is another type of early admission program that also has an early deadline and an early decision notification. The main difference is that early action is not binding, so you can apply to multiple colleges through early action and you are not obligated to enroll if you are accepted. You can also apply to colleges through regular admission or other early admission programs, even if you are accepted through early action.
What are the Benefits of Early Decision?
Early decision has some obvious advantages for students who are confident about their first-choice college and want to secure their admission as soon as possible. Some of the benefits are:
Higher acceptance rate
Many colleges have higher acceptance rates for early decision applicants than for regular admission applicants.
This is because early decision applicants demonstrate a high level of interest and commitment to the college, and because the college can fill a significant portion of its incoming class with early decision applicants.
For example, for the class of 2024, the ED acceptance rate at Duke University was 16.39%, while the regular decision acceptance rate was 4.8%.
Less competition
Early decision applicants face less competition from other applicants, since the applicant pool is smaller and more focused. Early decision applicants also have an advantage over regular admission applicants, since they are evaluated earlier and have a higher chance of being admitted before the available spots are filled.
Less stress
Early decision applicants can reduce the stress and uncertainty of the college application process, since they can complete their applications earlier and receive their decisions sooner.
If they are accepted, they can celebrate and relax, knowing that they have secured their admission to their dream college. If they are rejected or deferred, they can still apply to other colleges through regular admission or other early admission programs, and have more time to prepare their applications.
More time to plan
Early decision applicants can have more time to plan for their college transition, since they can finalize their enrollment earlier.
They can focus on their senior year academics, extracurriculars, and graduation, without worrying about their college applications. They can also start preparing for their college life, such as researching housing, orientation, financial aid, and other aspects of their college experience.
What are the Drawbacks of Early Decision?
Early decision also has some significant drawbacks that you should consider before you apply. Some of the disadvantages are:
Binding commitment
Early decision is a binding agreement that requires you to enroll at the college if you are accepted. You cannot change your mind, even if you receive a better offer from another college or if your personal or financial circumstances change. You also have to withdraw all your other applications, even if you have not received a decision from them. If you break the early decision contract, you could face serious consequences, such as losing your admission, your deposit, or your financial aid. You could also damage your reputation and credibility with other colleges and high school counselors.
Limited options
Early decision limits your options, since you can only apply to one college through this program. You cannot compare offers from multiple colleges or negotiate for better financial aid or merit scholarships. You also lose the opportunity to explore other colleges that might be a better fit for you, academically, socially, or financially.
Financial uncertainty
Another major drawback of ED is that you will not be able to compare financial aid offers from other colleges or negotiate for a better deal. You will have to rely on the college’s estimate of your financial need, which may not match your actual need or expectations.
Although colleges allow you to break the early decision contract if the financial aid package is insufficient, this can be a difficult and stressful process. You have to appeal the financial aid decision, provide documentation of your financial situation, and wait for a response from the college.
Less preparation
Early decision can also affect your preparation, since you have to submit your application earlier than regular admission applicants.
You might not have enough time to improve your grades, test scores, essays, or recommendations. You might also miss out on some senior year achievements or opportunities that could enhance your application.
How to Decide if Early Decision is Right for You?
Early decision is a serious and binding commitment that should not be taken lightly. You should only apply to a college through early decision if you are absolutely sure that it is your first-choice college and that you can afford it. You should also have a strong and competitive application that reflects your best academic and personal qualities.
To help you decide if early decision is right for you, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Do I love this college more than any other college?
You should have a clear and compelling reason why this college is your top choice and why you would be happy and successful there. You should also have done extensive research on the college, such as visiting the campus, talking to current students and alumni, and learning about the academic programs, campus culture, and extracurricular opportunities.
Have I compared this college to other colleges?
You should have explored and applied to other colleges that match your interests, goals, and preferences. You should also have considered the pros and cons of each college, such as the location, size, cost, reputation, diversity, and resources. You should not apply to a college through early decision just because of its prestige, ranking, or popularity.
Can I afford this college?
You should have a realistic and accurate estimate of how much this college will cost you and how much financial aid you will receive. You should also have a backup plan in case the financial aid package is not enough or if your financial situation changes. You should not apply to a college through early decision if you need to compare financial aid offers from multiple colleges or if you are hoping for merit scholarships.
Is my application ready and competitive?
You should have a strong and complete application that showcases your academic achievements, personal strengths, and extracurricular involvement. You should also have high grades, test scores, essays, and recommendations that match or exceed the college’s expectations. You should not apply to a college through early decision if you need more time to improve your application or if you are not confident about your chances of admission.
Conclusion
Early decision is a type of early admission program that allows you to apply to one college by a November/December deadline and receive a decision by December or January. It is a binding agreement that requires you to enroll at the college if you are accepted and withdraw all your other applications.
Early decision has some benefits, such as a higher acceptance rate, less competition, less stress, and more time to plan. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a binding commitment, limited options, financial uncertainty, and less preparation.
You should only apply to a college through early decision if you are sure that it is your first-choice college and that you can afford it. You should also have a strong and competitive application that reflects your best academic and personal qualities.
Early decision is not for everyone, so you should weigh the pros and cons carefully and make an informed and responsible decision. If you have any questions or concerns about early decision, you should consult your high school counselor, college advisor, or the college’s admission office. They can help you understand the early decision process and guide you through your college application journey.
