Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

Tips for Choosing Between Early and Regular Applications

Nov 8, 2009 Kenneth Burchfiel

Students should take both the positives and negatives of applying early decision to a particular school into account. This article provides an overview of those points.

Deciding where to apply to school is certainly an important choice students will make, but just what type of application to submit is another factor to take into consideration. Aside from early action, in which applicants receive an early, but non-binding decision, and rolling admission, the two main options for students are regular decision and early decision (which itself can come in different forms, depending on when the student must submit the application). Each has its benefits, but students should take care to ensure that they are making the right choice for each college on their list.

The Benefits of Applying Early decision

According to the collegeboard.com “Early Decision and Early Action” webpage, early decision (ED) is an application type in which students hear back from a college at an early date, but with the stipulation that they must attend a school that accepts their early decision application. (Students, then, may only apply early decision to one school.) For high school seniors dreading the usual wait until late March or April, when most regular decision results come in, the prospect of hearing back in December or January (the dates suggested by the collegeboard.com website) can be thrilling.

There can be another benefit to the early decision application at certain schools, but that benefit is often unverified. When a student applies ED to a college, he or she demonstrates a sincere interest in that school – given that that student has committed to attend that college if the institution accepts him or her. This proven interest may make admissions counselors more inclined to accept the student; after all, they know that he or she is not merely using the college as a backup option.

Students should understand, however, that this possible benefit may not exist at all for the school they are applying to. Ellen Schulte, Director of Communications at Bennington College, said in Paul D. Rosevear’s “Admissions Office Q&A: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision”: “Most institutions do not change their standards for Early Decision applicants. The real question is still the fundamental one: Is a college the right fit for you?”

Applicants should take Schulte’s comment into account. Unless a college explicitly states that it gives early decision applicants an advantage, ED students should not assume that its admissions staff will give their applications preferential treatment. This can make it unwise for students to apply ED to a school only for the prospect of an admissions boost.

The Advantages of a Regular Decision Application

Students applying regular decision often must wait for April 1 to roll around before hearing back from their colleges. The prospect of enduring dozens of winter days can make students inclined to pick one of their dream schools and give early decision a shot. However, regular decision certainly has its strong points, especially for students unsure about their ability to pay a certain school’s fees.

Regular decision’s nonbinding nature is an excellent draw. Students’ interests can always change, and a school highly specialized in one area may not be so appealing once that student has moved on to different subjects. A single college visit can change an applicant’s mind about a dream school. And if financial conditions worsen for the applicant, an expensive but beloved school may be out of the picture if that student does not receive adequate financial aid.

That final reason makes early decision impossible for many applicants. Indeed, students unsure if they can pay for a school should not apply early decision, given the complications that might result.

Students Should Think Hard About Whether or Not to Apply ED

There are certainly benefits to the early decision option, especially the prospect of spending the second semester of high school knowing where one will attend college. However, the power of choice that regular decision applicants have is a large draw in itself, as is the flexibility students have of finding a college that fits their changing needs.

While students should think seriously about the possibility of applying early decision to their top school, they need not obsess over their choice. Other options, like early action (in which the student can apply to other schools and need not attend one particular school, according to the collegeboard.com article) are suitable alternatives to the early decision dilemma.

According to the College Board, a student “should apply under an early decision or early action plan only if he is very sure of the college he wants to attend.” This is strong advice, given the large restrictions early decision can place on a student. However, for those who are certain of the school they wish to attend, early decision can make the second half of a student’s senior year much more relaxed.

For additional information on the early decision option, read ML Arthur’s “Should I Apply Early Decision?”

The copyright of the article Early Decision vs. Regular Decision in Colleges is owned by Kenneth Burchfiel. Permission to republish Early Decision vs. Regular Decision in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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