Early decision what does it mean

For full details, please click here. Should you prove your love by applying early? Many colleges allow applicants to submit their materials for an early deadline sometime in the fall that falls before the regular deadline usually sometime in January or February.

Here's what you need to know. Applying early lets your favorite school or schools know that you are serious about attending. Schools track how many applicants accept their offers of admission and release those numbers to the public.

A school looks good when a high percentage of accepted applicants chose to attend. So if they think you're likely to accept their offer of admission, it may give your application a leg up. If you are accepted to your dream school, you won't have to bother with the time and expense of applying elsewhere. You can put your focus back on right now instead of one year from now.

Some students and high school counselors believe that applying early decision gives them better odds of acceptance, but the truth is early acceptance rates and admissions standards vary from school to school. There is a potential disadvantage to applying early, however. You may not have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages offered by other schools. Early decision is more valuable to colleges than early action because it helps them determine their yield of accepted applicants who actually enroll in college.

Yield is important to schools because it influences rankings and desirability among prospective students. Stephanie Klein Wassink, founder of AdmissionsCheckup. Students with strong junior-year grades and standardized test scores are better candidates for early applications.

Those with applications that could benefit from boosted fall semester grades or who are taking fall ACT or SAT tests may want to wait for regular admission before applying. Above all, if a student chooses early decision, he or she needs to be sure of the decision before applying. For those ready to apply, but unsure of their choices, early action allows for more flexibility. Ultimately, receiving early admission could mean a less stressful senior year for savvy applicants.

What does early decision mean? Early action vs. Application deadlines. Thoroughly researched colleges—academically, socially, geographically, and financially. Confidently identified a top-choice college that will meet their educational and experiential goals. Are unsure whether the colleges on their list are a strong match—academically, socially, geographically, and financially.

Have not confidently identified their first-choice school. Do not yet have the requisite grades and test scores for the schools on their list.

Are applying early just to get the process over with or because their friends are doing it. Applying early action and early decision offers your child several potential advantages vs. On the other hand, applying early has some potential disadvantages, including reduced financial aid opportunities, pressure to decide where to attend, and creating a time crunch with regular decision applications, which are typically due shortly after early admission decisions are released. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions.

For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

Medical School Admissions College Admissions. Your Trusted Advisors for Admissions Succes. Blog Admissions and test prep resources to help you get into your dream schools. Everything you and your child need to know to make the right choice when it comes to applying to colleges early. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Early action vs. Part 3: Early action vs. Part 1: Introduction The start of college application season brings with it a lot of stress and tons of major questions, including: How many reach, target, and safety schools should your child include on their college list?

How many schools should your child apply to in total? And so on. Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family. Apply to only one college early decision. Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans.

Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED. Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1. EA applicants Apply early. Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle usually in January or February. Consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt. Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date. Who should apply early? Applying to an ED or EA plan is most appropriate for a student who: Has researched colleges extensively.

Is absolutely sure that the college is the first choice. Has found a college that is a strong match academically, socially and geographically. Has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time. Applying to an ED or EA plan is not appropriate for a student who: Has not thoroughly researched colleges.