Decisions, Decisions...

Last week, I wrote about October being the month when I am away much more than I am at home – that’s true.  This is the one week I am home because the PSAT is given annually at this time and it’s not a day that high schools want college reps knocking on their doors.  I learned that lesson the hard way when I found myself out-of-town with a day of no visits on my calendar. So now I make sure I stick close to home and use the time to catch up on bill paying, blog writing, and more cooking!

For high school seniors PSAT Day means something fun is planned for them at school because for once there’s a TEST THEY DON’T HAVE TO TAKE!  Instead a breakfast for seniors is taking place at my daughter’s high school and they will also learn all about graduation. I have no idea what is covered on this exciting topic but I guess I’ll find out eventually.

I am surprised they are already addressing graduation for my kid and her classmates when they are in the midst of college applications.  If I have learned anything from living with (an example of today’s) high school senior is that they are stressed out by almost everything related to their future.  Decision making is very difficult for teenagers but it may be more challenging for kids now.  They fear the unknown and they fear making the wrong choice.  They hate not knowing what is around the next corner and that can be paralyzing for some – my daughter included.  To me discussing graduation in October seems a bit premature when so many haven’t submitted all of their applications yet.

Speaking of decisions – I thought it might be a good time to talk about the different application choices. 

Early Bird Catches the Worm AKA Early Decision 1 and Early Decision 2

I know it seems odd to have two rounds of Early Decision but it will make sense once I explain it, I promise.  First, I want to make it clear that Early Decision isn’t some gimmick colleges came up with to make admissions difficult for our applicants.  In fact, it enables students who have done their research to gain admission to their #1 school before most other applicants.  It’s a win-win situation – the applicant gets the answer they want to hear and we get a head start on filling our incoming classes. It is also a myth that only the super wealthy (or the super savers) are offered admission. Most colleges and universities with Early Decision plans (binding and non-binding) offer the same financial aid and scholarship opportunities as applicants who apply as traditional Regular Decision candidates.   But cover your bases and be sure to ask the important questions before you turn in that Early Decision application.  Also, you can only apply to ONE college Early Decision!   However, you can apply Early Action to another college.

Early Decision is usually binding, which means you sign an agreement that states you understand you are entering into this application option fully aware of the rules.  Rules?  Yep, if you are offered admission you should accept that offer by turning in a deposit about a month later and then withdrawing all outstanding applications at colleges you may have already applied - including any you gained admission to under Early Action.  Remember, it is essential that you consider that you signed on the dotted line and your honor, as well as your reputation, is in question if you don’t abide by the rules. There are consequences should you accept the offer of admission and keep applications open at other schools.. 

Oh, and why two rounds?  It’s more about timing than anything else.  Occasionally, a student will wait until they have the first semester of senior year grades on the transcript or they discovered GW after our Early Decision 1 deadline passed or they had a change of heart and as they considered GW more and more – Early Decision 2 makes perfect sense!

Early Action vs. Early Action-Single Choice

Here we go again with two choices with similar names but are not like another.  Early Action allows students the option of submitting their application early in the process (usually on or before November 1) with the hope of receiving an offer of admission by the winter holidays.  If admitted, the applicant knows they have an offer of admission in their hip pocket but they don’t have to respond to that offer until May 1^st (the national candidates reply date).  They do not need to remove their other applications from other colleges.  Sometimes the Early Action application is simpler than the traditional regular decision application.  Applicants may only be required to submit the application, transcript and standardized test scores for Early Action consideration.  No essays, no resume of activities are needed.  And therefore the decision to admit, defer or deny is based completely on academics and not on any other remarkably amazing features of the applicant (like writing skills, leadership, and volunteerism). Can you tell I am not a fan of this type of application?   Keep this in mind, many larger universities fill most of their classes with Early Action leaving very little room for Regular Decision applicants or those deferred from Early Action.  If you are deferred from an Early Action review then you’ll have to submit essays and any other additional information that college is seeking to make a final decision on your application.

Many Ivy League schools and some selective universities offer Early Action-Single Choice.  This option is very similar to Early Decision except it isn’t a binding admissions plan.  Applicants who choose to apply to a college under their Early Action-Single Choice policy can only apply to that school early.  In other words, you cannot submit an Early Action application to school A, an Early Decision application to School B and an Early Action-Single Choice application to school C. You can only submit the Early Action-Single Choice application to school C.

So why apply Early Action Single Choice?  In so many ways this policy is very similar to Early Decision - including signing an agreement that states you, the applicant, understand the rules.  The exception is that like Early Action, the lucky applicant who gains admission under Early Action-Single Choice doesn’t need to reply to that offer until May 1^st. They can even keep all of their applications under consideration at any other colleges they have applied. 

Early Action-Single Choice is ideal for the student who wants to find out sooner than later that they have an offer of admission from a top tier school and still have the option to consider any other college on their list. 

(Not Plain Vanilla) Regular Decision

All colleges love this pool of applicants!  The majority of our applicants are Regular Decision candidates and there is nothing wrong with having options.  As a Regular Decision applicant, a student can leisurely find the perfect college for them.  No binding policies, no signed agreements.  The only consideration I want you to know is that the Early Decision 1 & 2 admitted students have taken up spots in the next incoming class, therefore, the selectivity increases significantly for applicants in Regular Decision.  This is also true for those schools with Early Action and Early Action-Single Choice plans. 

The Regular Decision candidate would be wise to pay attention to every deadline and requirement.  I always tell students that while an essay might be labeled as “optional” we really mean “mandatory” so do answer every question we ask of you.  Think like an Early Decision applicant by completing your application in a timely manner and, if possible, well in advance of stated deadlines.  You’ll thank me for this advice so you won’t be working furiously your entire winter break to meet those January deadlines.

There you have it – my definitions of the different application options. Perhaps, I lent a hand in demystifying some of the admissions terminology. I certainly hope I dispelled some myths about the many application choices colleges have created for our applicants. Next week I head off to Memphis then onto Raleigh, Charlotte and finishing up in Asheville. Look for more wisdom from the road!