Decision Rounds- huh?
When I took my first biology course in high school, way way back in the ‘90s, my (amazing!) teacher began the course by explaining that learning biology was a lot like learning a foreign language- lots of new vocabulary. At May First, we think this is also true when someone begins exploring colleges and learning about the application process (and it’s way less fun than learning biology!). There are so many terms, things we’ve written about like holistic admissions and LTE factor. Another set of terms that is critical to understand is the different types of applications: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. We know, not super exciting… but super important. So let’s jump in.
Early Decision
Between 300-400 colleges in the US (out of nearly 4000 colleges) offer Early Decision (ED), a plan that is binding. Applications are generally due in November (November 1 or 15 depending on the school) and decisions are released a month later, with enrollment deposits usually due within two weeks. Students are only allowed to apply to one school ED and if accepted they are committed to that school and must withdraw applications to all other schools.
The upside of applying ED is that it elevates a student’s chances of admissions significantly-- a school that accepts 20% of its entire application pool might accept closer to 50% of those applying ED. And it can be really awesome to sail into winter break knowing that the entire college application process is done. But there’s a big downside to ED… money. In all cases, ED benefits two groups: colleges and families that don’t need any financial aid. Because the decision is binding, an accepted student isn’t able to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools and doesn’t have any leverage to negotiate for additional aid. Colleges get to meet a lot of their financial goals by accepting students who can pay, and families who can pay have a better shot at getting their students accepted by elite schools.
Early Action
Early Action (EA) follows a similar timeline as Early Decision, but it’s not binding and in most cases students are not restricted in the number of schools they can apply to EA. Applications are due in November anddecisions come out a month later in December, but enrollment deposits aren’t due until the general May 1 deadline. Students can also apply to as many schools as they want in the regular decision round, and can then compare financial aid offers and negotiate with financial aid offices.
With both ED and EA there are three potential outcomes: acceptance, rejection, and deferral. To be deferred simply means that the applicant is put into the regular decision pool and will receive a final decision during that time frame.
Regular Decision
Regular Decision (RD) is exactly what it sounds like, the regular process and timeline of college admissions. Applications are generally due between January 1 and February 1 (unless it’s a school that utilizes rolling admissions) and decisions are released by April 1, with enrollment deposits due by May 1. Some schools offer multiple rounds of regular decision, but the general mechanics and commitments of the process are the same.
There is so much to consider when deciding whether to apply ED, EA, or RD. At May First we’re here to help. Give us a call (617.447.0186) or drop a line to info@yourmayfirst.com and let’s chat.
