With DRHS seniors beginning to apply to college, there are many options that they could choose. One option is early decision, which has many benefits and can be suited for different types of students applying to college.
The prospect of early decision as a binding agreement can be terrifying to some. If you get into a school through early decision, it is usually binding. Some schools offer early action which is not typically a binding application. But there can be some benefits to early decision.
Early admissions programs have been around for decades, with origins tracing back to Ivy League schools in the 1950s. They gained popularity in the 1990s, with a lot more colleges and universities joining the program.
Recently college admissions have dropped to an all time low. According to The Hill, after a peak in enrollment in 2010, undergrad enrollment dropped from around 18.1 million to 15.4 million students amid the pandemic. Although enrollment slightly increased last year, many predict that a significant demographic change could send enrollment to even lower numbers.
“Although I did not make a binding early decision, I still am happy because I know I have more options,” DRHS senior Owen Robertson said.
Early admissions processes do promise some statistical advantages. Schools such as Bates College, Dartmouth College, Yale College, and Northeastern University accept a majority of their students in early action and early decision rounds one and two. Bates College, for example, has an acceptance rate of only 14%, but between ED one and two, they accept 41.7% of their students, according to IvyWise.
Early decision is great for students who know exactly where they want to study. Many colleges, such as Bates College, give the applicant further options for financial aid and living choices.
“Applying Early Decision could be beneficial for students who are 100% set on a specific college and committed to attending regardless of any certainties regarding financial aid or scholarships.” DRHS counselor Karina Wilson said.
The fast response from schools allows for seniors who apply early decision, and get admitted, to have a stress-free senior year when they already know where they are going. The benefits of early admissions range for each institution.
