The Increasing Popularity of Early Decision
Applying to college can be a stressful and overwhelming process, especially when it comes to making the decision of whether to apply Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD). ED applications require students to submit their applications earlier than RD students, generally by November 1, and in return, the school either accepts, rejects, or defers the student by mid-December, months before the RD students learn their fate. While ED applications have their pros and cons, there are several benefits to applying ED, including higher acceptance rates and the ability to stand out from the competition.
One major advantage of ED applications is the higher acceptance rate. By applying ED, students demonstrate their strong interest and commitment to a particular college or university. This can significantly increase their chances of acceptance, as colleges want to admit students who are excited about attending their institution. In fact, many top schools have reported receiving record-breaking numbers of ED applications in recent years, including Barnard College, which saw an 11% increase in ED applications for the Class of 2027 compared to the Class of 2026. By accepting a larger number of ED students, the school can ensure that they will fill all their open slots, guaranteeing the necessary tuition for funding.
Another advantage of applying ED is the ability to stand out from the competition. With more and more students applying to college each year, it can be difficult to differentiate oneself from the thousands of other applicants. By applying ED, students can demonstrate their dedication and commitment to a particular institution, which can make them more appealing to admissions officers.
Despite these benefits, ED applications are not without criticism. One of the most common criticisms is that ED programs significantly benefit students from wealthier backgrounds. Many ED applications are due before a student is informed of their financial aid offerings, meaning that students from low-income households may be hesitant to apply ED if they are unsure if they can afford the tuition. In contrast, students from wealthier backgrounds may be more willing to apply ED because they are less concerned with financial aid packages.
Furthermore, as the number of ED applications has increased, so has the competition. Historically, colleges and universities would fill roughly 20-30% of their incoming class with ED students. However, as that number rises, so does the competition. Ivy Link, a college consulting service, encourages students to apply ED if possible. If colleges had responded to the influx of Early applicants by continuing to fill less than 50% of their incoming class with ED applicants, then the Early acceptance rate would likely have crept closer to the Regular Decision rate. However, this would be bad business for colleges, as they want to ensure that they are filling all their open slots and receiving the necessary tuition for funding.
In conclusion, there are several benefits to applying ED to college, including higher acceptance rates and the ability to stand out from the competition. However, ED applications are not without criticism, as they may disproportionately benefit students from wealthier backgrounds and increase competition among applicants. Ultimately, the decision of whether to apply ED or RD should be made based on each individual student's personal and financial circumstances.
