Is Early Decision Right for You?: Questions to Ask Before Applying

To ED or not ED? That is the question on which many student minds fixate. Applying to college with Early Decision (ED) can feel like a particularly daunting decision. When considering an ED application, it is first important to know that it is not “easier” to be admitted through a school’s ED than it is through RA. ED acceptance rates appear far higher than RA, however, this is largely due to discrepancies in the application pool size. Higher admission rates for ED applicants may correlate to stronger profiles among candidates choosing ED. We recommend students first consult their chosen institution’s admissions office to assess whether ED and RA acceptance rates differ. This allows prospective students to evaluate whether their profile suits EA or not.

This, of course, begs the question – if a school has the same standards for their ED and RA candidates, is it still worth applying ED? The answer varies student to student, and when considering ED, one should reflect on several questions.

Is the school I’m hoping to ED to truly my dream school?

Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself – one of the key factors of ED applications is the immediate binding commitment that accompanies them. Deciding whether to commit to a school affirms that you would attend that particular school above others. This contemplation should take into account specific academic programs, extracurriculars, school culture, and location. For a student who is undecided between several universities, the commitment of ED acceptance will be a restriction on future flexibility of choice. However, for students who have a specific dream school above other options, committing earlier and getting the application “out of the way” can provide immense relief in the application process.

Are there any reasons why my dream school would think I’m not likely to go?

There are several “flags” in application profiles that may cause admissions officers to conclude a student would be less likely to attend their school, even if accepted. Naturally, admissions officers are more likely to reject students with these markers, as they want high matriculation rates from their accepted pool. Two of these flags in particular include:

(a) any family legacy tied to a different school and (b) over-qualification for a school. Given the existence of legacy children, and the culture of school loyalty (which is particularly common in America), if a student is qualified for a school other family members have attended, officers assume the student will pick that school over their own. Similarly, if a student’s application profile (i.e. grades, test scores, general demonstrated success) seems to fit much higher standards than those of a school, they assume the student is much more likely to pick a higher-prestige institution. For students who may be put into these categories by their favored school, ED is an excellent option; the commitment inherent to the ED application demonstrates firm interest to the admissions office, assuaging any doubts from these other factors.

Am I worried about financial aid?

For students who will be factoring financial aid into their college decision, applying ED to a school with limited financial aid may pose a bit of risk. With the binding nature of ED acceptances, students will then be unable to compare offered financial aid packages between schools. You are committed both to the school and the amount of aid they can provide. However, this factor does not apply to any schools that provide “Complete” financial aid, i.e. schools that are able to meet all financial needs within a specific income bracket. Before applying ED, students should investigate the financial aid policies of their school in depth.

So…Is ED right for you?

There are, of course other, less weighty factors to consider in applying ED to a school; many students are concerned for future “senioritis,” which manifests as a loss of motivation towards working on applications as the year progresses. In this case, applying early can guarantee an application more representative of a student’s writing quality with their typical work ethic. There is also the possibility of a rescinded acceptance should a student be accepted early but have a drastic decrease in grades in their second semester. These considerations should not be the deciding factor for a student applying ED, rather minimal extra weight towards a decision. Concerns about time management alone may make a student a great candidate for schools with Early Action or Restrictive Early Action deadlines, which come with a similarly expedited timeline but without the commitment.

But, for students confident in their strong, committed preference for a school, ED can be a boost to the application and a massive weight off the shoulders.

Jess Hung serves as our Interdisciplinary Admissions Consultant, and History Specialist, holding a degree in History and Science from Harvard University.