For Early Birds – Early Decision Plans and Early Action Plans
Here’s how these options work:
If you’re really sure of your first-choice college – the school at the top of your Wish List – that’s the one, and the only one, to which you can apply for an Early Decision plan. The College Board points out that more than 400 schools offer this option. You can still apply – and should apply as backup – to other schools on your list through regular admissions procedures.
Early Decision plans permit you to apply early – typically November – in order to get an acceptance decision from your Number One choice well before the normal spring notification date. You’re likely to know within a couple of months whether you’ve been accepted.
Colleges like these plans because they get students to commit early. And students like it, too, because even though acceptance isn’t guaranteed, Early Decision still gives you an edge. You’ll have a better chance of being accepted than you would if you went through the regular admissions procedure.
Keep in mind, though, that early decisions are binding. This means that you must commit to attending that school and must withdraw all of your other applications.
Early Action plans are similar, but not as restrictive. Upon acceptance, you can attend right away or wait until the spring semester. In the meantime, you can still apply for Early Decision at another school. You may still be able to wait until late spring to inform the school about your decision.
Money Matters
Sorting through each school’s deadlines can be time-consuming and confusing, but you don’t want to miss deadlines for financial aid applications. Schools provide online resources for navigating the various procedures and often put you in touch with financial aid counselors.
Check CLD’s Funding Your Education section for more details on this important issue.