Early Decision?

Congratulations—you found your perfect college! So when do you apply to the college of your dreams? Your application and enrollment options vary depending on the college, on how sure you feel of your acceptance and how soon you can meet the deadlines. Here are some examples of your options.

Rolling admissions
Colleges and universities that accept applications all year round without a specific start or end date of acceptance have what’s called a rolling admissions system. That means that admissions decisions are made on an as-the-applications-arrive basis. For colleges and programs with a rolling admissions policy, it’s best to apply as soon as you decide that it’s a contender for your four-year commitment, as spaces might be filled before the published deadline.

Early decision
The first in line get the best seats in the house. So as competition for college admissions intensifies, you may look for ways to get to the head of the admissions line. For some of you, that means applying to your top-choice colleges under an early decision option.

Early decision programs require that you attend the accepting college and withdraw applications from all other schools you were considering. Locking into a college early takes some pressure off you, but how beneficial is it in the long run?

If you really, truly feel that you’ve done enough research to be absolutely sure about your desire to attend your early decision school, then go for it. By accepting the terms of early decision, you’re telling a college that it’s your number-one choice. And by making contact with the college early in the year, you have time to establish contact and visit the school while your admissions fate is being decided.

Early action
If you’re wary of agreeing to a binding early decision program—maybe you want the freedom to change your mind—then ask the college’s admissions office if there is an early action option. Early action is a nonbinding agreement in which you apply and are accepted before the regular freshman class deadline, but your acceptance decision isn’t required until May 1, the universal tuition-deposit date.

If you need to figure out your financial aid situation before accepting an admission offer, early action’s for you. This option also lets you not feel coerced into making an early (and possibly unwise) college choice. By allowing you to spend a longer time with your search and acceptance processes, you will gain more self-awareness, the time to carefully review all your options and focus on your senior year.

Regular decision
If you forgo the early routes and apply to college under regular admissions deadlines, you’ll owe your freshmen-year deposit by May 1. This confirms your acceptance and holds you a place in the college’s class. If you have been accepted to several colleges, it’s courteous to call or write to let the admissions officers at the other schools know that you’re declining their offers.

No matter what admissions plan you choose, your focus should be on making a smart, not necessarily early, decision.

You’ve been accepted! Now what?
Think you’re done once they offer you admission into your dream college? Nope—you still have work to do before breaking out the sparkling grape juice for a toast.

Before your senior year’s out, you’ll have to:
Withdraw your applications  from other colleges to which you applied.
Provide a tuition deposit.

Request a housing application.

Send in your room and board deposit.

Visit the school again if possible to learn your way around campus.

Register for freshmen orientation.

Request information for your major’s required courses.

Ask if there is a reading list to complete before freshmen year.

Check out the college’s Web site for available student clubs and activities.

Ask how to get college credit for your AP classes.

Make sure your immunizations and vaccinations are current.

Find out if and when your high school needs to send a final transcript to the college.

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