The Pros and Cons Of Early Decision

There’s no doubt about it. It’s appealing. Apply to a college early decision, get your acceptance by December and be done with it all.

I get it, I really do. But so do the colleges and that’s why they created this admissions option. They totally understand the appeal of early decision to stressed-out seniors (and the parents who must live with them). They’re banking on that allure.

Here’s the simple truth - when your needs and the college’s needs meet, then early decision is great. If you really need to go to a particular college, money is not an issue and the college is looking for a student like you – then early decision works.

But there are some drawbacks to consider before you apply to a college early decision:

1. You can only apply to ONE school - so you need to be sure that the college you love in October is the same one you’re going to love come May.
2. You’re asking the college to make their decision about you on information through your junior year only. If you’re a late-bloomer, they won’t see your continued “blossoming” in the fall of your senior year.
3. You’re in a “take or leave it” position. You are signing a letter of intent that says, “if you say yes, I’m coming” – and that’s BEFORE you see what financial aid is being offered. If they don’t offer enough, what will you do?
4. You are removing the college’s motivation to award scholarships - part of the purpose of scholarships at a lot of colleges is to attract students they really want. They may really want you; but , with early decision, they have you. No “attracting” necessary.

There is one class of colleges where early decision works regardless of your situation – and that’s the Ivy League colleges and the Ivy-types that do not award ANY merit-based scholarships (Haverford, Stanford, Bryn Mawr, Bowdoin, Colby, etc.). These colleges are highly selective with acceptance rates well below 30% and could be as low as 6%.

They don’t award scholarships, so if you are a no-need family, you’re looking at paying full price anyway and if you’re a some-need or all-need family, they will work with you financial-aid wise to make it work. As long as they accept you, of course.

But, except for that, applying early decision may not be in your best interest.