Applying to college early

Over the pasts few years, including this year at many schools, there has been a significant increase in the number of students applying to college early. It’s important to understand the two types of early application options and what they mean. 

First of all, applying early does show a preference toward a particular school, which is an important part of the application process, and in most cases applicants who apply early-decision are accepted at a higher rate than students who apply at the regular deadline. Also, some colleges provide financial aid on a first come, first serve basis. However, applying early isn’t for everyone. 

The two types of early applications are early-decision and early-action. Some schools offer just one of these options while other schools may offer both. Generally, early applications are due around November 1st while regular decision applications are due around January 1st, so there’s less time to work on an early application. Early-action is non-binding: students who are accepted early-action are not obligated to attend the college and may apply to other colleges. Early-action provides peace of mind and a safety net – regardless of how you fare with your regular applications, you are already accepted to a college. 

Early-decision is quite different. This IS a binding commitment, and generally when applying early-decision the student, parent, and guidance counselor all sign a piece of paper stating that if the student is accepted, he/she will attend the college AND withdraw regular decision applications from all other colleges. It’s not a safety net, it’s a promise, and it comes at times before any written guarantee of financial aid is made. Generally speaking, if the desired financial aid isn’t provided by the college, the student can get out of his/her obligation. However, by the time that happens it may leave limited time to apply to other schools (remember, the student has withdrawn other applications once they are accepted early-decision). 

Applying early means that the student will not be submitting their senior year first quarter or first semester grades as part of the application process. It also means less time to work on the application. However, if there is one university that clearly sits atop the list of colleges, and the student is secure in their financial situation, then applying early can be a good way to show your commitment to a school in hopes that they will show their commitment to you before most other applicants.