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College Prep 

Early Decision, Early Action:
What's the Difference?
What's Right for You?

BY DAVE PETERSON

© Copyright 1999 by Parents' Press
Photo by Skjold Photographs, all rights reserved

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As if you weren't already going crazy with college application choices and chores ­ now people are talking about sending in the forms right now, before a looming early deadline. What's the skinny on all this?

Many colleges, in addition to regular application and reply dates in the Spring, offer a chance to apply and get a reply this Fall. Check individual catalogs for the way this works at each college, but know there are just two major "Early" programs. Here's how the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) sets the guidelines for each.

Early Decision

The college and the student agree to an early admission decision and commitment, i.e., if they admit you early, you will pay your deposit promptly and enroll there next Fall.

· You may apply to other colleges but may make only one Early Decision application.

· You must complete your application by a firm deadline, usually Nov. 1.

· You will be notified according to a stated timeline, usually in early December.

· You must also meet early decision financial aid application dates if you have financial need.

· You will then also get an aid reply at or near the time of admission notification.

· You will deposit and commit to attend at once, provided any need for aid is satisfied.

· You will immediately withdraw all other applications and make no future ones.

Early Action

The student and the college apply and respond similarly, but the student does not have a commitment to accept at once.

· You may apply to other colleges, including one Early Decision application if you wish.

· You will meet financial aid application procedures and deadlines if you have need. Financial aid dates may not parallel the early notification deadlines.

So, What Do I Do?

First, think about the pros and cons. Here are just a few to ponder:

· You must get all early applications, transcripts, recommendations, resumes, essays, and test score submissions completed . . . now!

· You must be ready to act on the December reply; for Early Decision, that means you must attend! Be sure your ED campus is a strong first choice that will not shift later this year.

· You will be judged on your current record only ­ you give up the chance to bolster your application with more and better achievements during the year. Thus it's best to confine these early choices to colleges that match your record, not the "reach" schools.

· You will not necessarily get a break because of your early submission; all colleges try to balance early admit numbers with regular numbers, so strong later applicants can get in too. But as always, a first choice commitment, whenever it's given, will help.

How Do the Three Reply Types Impact Me?

Admission is always good news! It can save you the apply-and-wait angst for the rest of the year. (But enrollment does hinge on keeping up a strong senior record.) And ED admission means . . . that's where you must attend! Your waffle time is past.

Rejection is never good news, but in one sense it is an early indication of your relative admission strength. There is still time to improve your record and to apply to realistic alternatives.

Deferral ­ this is a unique feature of the early plans. You are not rejected, but placed in the regular Spring admission pool, a kind of year-long waiting list situation. You must apply elsewhere, of course, but you can improve your chances during the year; see the sidebar.

Bottom Line

Early decision and early action began as college recruitment devices, or "enrollment management" programs. But they can help certain students: those whose records are at their strongest, with their paperwork fully in place, and with strong college preferences that will not change all year. If you can say "yes" to each of these conditions, talk early options with your counselor . . . now!

 



 

CLICK HERE for more College Prep articles by Dave Peterson.

I'm Deferred! What Do I Do?

It's December, and you get one of those skinny envelopes. Your application is still on file and will be reviewed. But since it didn't work this time, the same record is not likely to cut it later. In any case, you are no longer committed to any first choice college that deferred you; you're a free agent. If you still want to attend this college, here are the steps to take.

Write a letter at once, even if they don't require a reply, and say:
· You want to be kept in consideration (if true).
· You will still commit to attend later if admitted (if true).
· This is still your first choice for the following reasons (cite specific program advantages).
· Ask what steps you should take during the year to strengthen your record. Do what they say.
· Enclose your Fall grades and any test scores received since you mailed your application materials back in October.
And all during the year, keep up the contacts. No pressure, just factual improvements such as:
· In February, mail the admissions office your midyear progress report, plus updates on your achievements, honors, activities, samples of creative efforts or talents, or other positive information about you.
· In March, call them to insure that your file contains this information sent so far. Restate your commitment, if true. Ask what information might be added to help your file.
· Also in March, visit the campus again to restate the above in person. Develop on-campus personal contacts ­ a student or teacher or coach in your special areas who, on knowing you, might support your application with a comment to the admissions office relating to your major goals or talent areas.
· Before decisions are made, make a final mailing of updated achievement information.
· Be sure all added input consists of new information about you, not new pressure about you! No reference letters or calls, please; just facts.

Meanwhile, meet deadlines all year long on all other applications, to colleges less competitive than the one deferring you. You want to be some where in September!
During all this time, keep in close touch with your counselor. Good luck!

COLLEGE PREP
Dave Peterson's unique guide to choosing the college that's best for you, and optimizing your chances of getting admitted.

Dave Peterson is a college counselor, a former college admissions officer and a consultant to the College Board. He used to run the "old" America Online/College Board college admissions message boards under the screen name of CBD Dave.

Here's a link to past College Prep articles.

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