When should I apply for early decision?

Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college. Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date (usually by December). Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family.

When can you start applying for early decision?

When to Apply. Most early decision deadlines are in November, while most early action deadlines are in January or February. Based on these timelines, most counselors recommend starting your applications in the mid-to-late summer, several months before application deadlines.

Is it better to apply early decision 1 or 2?

Compared to ED I, ED II typically offers a smaller acceptance rate boost. One explanation for this is that colleges have already filled a portion of their class with ED I applicants by the time ED II decisions are made.

Can early decision increase chances?

On average, applying ED is going to result in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to super selective schools. The benefit becomes less pronounced the less selective the school is.

Are you more likely to get accepted if you apply early?

The greater the number of students who are admitted to Early Decision, the fewer slots are left for Regular Decision applicants. Given the astronomical application numbers at some of the more popular colleges and universities, Early Decision can give you slight edge if you are qualified candidate.

College Admission Officers, What Made You Declined A Student?

Why do I regret applying early decision?

Students who regret their decision to apply ED are usually unhappy because of the financial aid package they receive. Early-decision students usually know what they're in for when they apply, but your financial aid package is one thing that you can't predict. The college bill can take anyone by surprise.

Does anyone get rejected from early decision?

You may not apply to more than one college under early decision. If you are not accepted, you will either be rejected or deferred. Rejected applicants may not apply again that year. Deferred applicants will be reconsidered during the regular admission period, and are free to apply to other schools.

What is the downside of early decision?

Reduced financial aid opportunities: Students who apply under ED plans receive offers of admission and financial aid simultaneously and so will not be able to compare financial aid offers from other colleges. For students who absolutely need financial aid, applying early may be a risky option.

Who should not apply early decision?

You're strongly considering other schools

It's completely possible to be in love with multiple schools, but you can't apply to more than one for early decision. You should, however, apply to other schools via regular decision if you don't get accepted to your early decision school.

What are the disadvantages of early decision?

DISADVANTAGES OF EARLY DECISION

If you're accepted, you're obliged to attend. You may discover a more suitable college later. The early deadline may force you to submit a less polished application, unless you begin your application well ahead of time.

How many schools should I apply to early decision?

Early Decision Plans:

You can apply early decision to only 1 college. If the college accepts you and offers enough financial aid, you must go to that college. That's why these plans are referred to as “binding.” Some colleges have 2 early deadlines, called early decision deadline I and early decision deadline II.

What happens if you apply early decision and don't go?

Early decision colleges may reach out to other schools to let them know you broke your agreement, which can reflect poorly on your applications. You'll also lose any deposit money you put down.

What happens if you apply early decision and get accepted?

Early decision plans are binding: A student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action plans are nonbinding: Students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.

Should my child apply early decision?

Early decision is a binding commitment, meaning those who apply in this round must attend the selected college if they are accepted. You can only apply to one school early decision because of that binding commitment. So experts recommend only applying early decision if you have a clear top-choice school.

Is it smart to apply early decision?

For many students, one of the main appeals of applying early is receiving an admission decision earlier, typically by December or January. The admission rates in the early application pool also tend to be higher, even though the pool is typically more competitive than the regular round.

What do I need to know before applying for early decision?

What happens if you regret early decision?

You backing out could jeopardize future students' Early Decision chances if they apply to the same college. In some cases, your high school counselor may turn around and tell the other colleges you're applying to, hurting your acceptance chances at the other schools.

Is early decision 2 worse than 1?

As we discussed earlier, you'll get a lot of the same advantages of ED I by applying ED II, just with a later timetable. Acceptance rates for ED II applicants do tend to be higher than those for RD applicants, though they're not quite as high as for ED I applicants.

Is early decision harder than regular?

Acceptance rates for ED candidates are always higher than during regular admissions. If you have a first choice, it is always best to apply ED.

Can I reject early decision if I can't afford it?

Fortunately, students can usually turn down an ED offer if the financial aid is insufficient. “If the net cost of the college is completely unaffordable, you can ask the admissions committee to release you,” said Shirag Shemmassian, founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting.

What happens if you get accepted to 2 early decisions?

While EA allows you to submit an application early, it is non-binding and does not confer the same admissions boost as applying Early Decision. You can of course apply to both schools, but remember that ED is binding, and if both offer you a place, you will be obligated to attend the school you applied to ED.

Is early decision 100% binding?

Early decision applications typically require the signature of the student, parent and counselor verifying the commitment. The agreement is not legally binding, so a college would not go after a student for tuition. But depending on the school, there can be consequences if a student doesn't accept an offer.

What to do if rejected early decision?

If You Are Rejected

Students may also consider applying to a college with an Early Decision II or Early Action II process, which can help applicants demonstrate their interest in an institution much like Early Decision I. In some cases, you may even be able to apply during the “secret” Early Decision III round.

Can I accept two offers of admission?

Double Deposits

Double depositing means putting down a deposit, and thus accepting admission, at more than one college. Since a student can't attend multiple colleges, it is considered unethical.

How do I submit an early decision agreement?

The student must read and sign the agreement from within his/her Common App account. He/she must then notify the counselor that he/she is applying ED. 2. The counselor must read and sign the agreement from within his/her recommendation account (if the counselor has agreed to complete recommendations online).