Early Decision (ED) is a college admission program that allows students to apply to a college or university in the fall of their senior year and receive an admission decision earlier than the regular decision process. Under the Early Decision program, students must commit to attending the college or university if they are accepted and must withdraw all other applications.
The Early Decision program is intended for students who have identified their first-choice college or university and are willing to make a binding commitment to attend if admitted. In return, colleges and universities typically offer higher acceptance rates for Early Decision applicants compared to regular decision applicants.
The application process for Early Decision typically involves submitting an application, standardized test scores, transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation by an earlier deadline than the regular decision process. Students are notified of their admission decision typically in December, and if admitted, they are required to withdraw all other college applications and commit to attending that college or university.
While Early Decision can be advantageous for students who have a clear first-choice college or university, it also has some drawbacks. Because Early Decision is a binding commitment, students cannot compare financial aid offers from different colleges or universities. Additionally, students who are not accepted during the Early Decision process will have limited time to apply to other colleges and universities before regular decision deadlines.
Some colleges and universities also offer a variation of Early Decision called Early Decision II. This program has a later application deadline than Early Decision I, but still requires a binding commitment from students if they are accepted.
It is important for students to carefully consider their options before applying for Early Decision. While it can offer some advantages, it is also a serious commitment and may not be the best option for all students. Students should also be aware of the financial implications of Early Decision, as they will not be able to compare financial aid offers from different colleges or universities.
Overall, Early Decision is a college admission program that allows students to apply early and receive an admission decision earlier than the regular decision process. However, it is important for students to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making a commitment.
