Early Admission Options

Many independent colleges offer what are called ont color="#008080"> early application plans for those of you who do not  want to wait around until April to find out your collegiate fate. Two kinds of plans are offered: The Early Decision Plan and the Early Action Plan. The purpose of both is to let you know early in your senior year if you have been accepted. Colleges offering these programs hope they encourage well qualified students to attend their school. If you and your counselor feel that your performance in high school is strong enough, you should consider looking into which schools on your target list provide this option.

Questions to consider:

What advantage is it for me to apply using one of these plans?

What is the time frame for applying and getting accepted?

What happens if I get accepted early and then my grades go down the tubes in my senior year?

What do I agree to if I use the Early Decision Plan?

What do I agree to if I use the Early Action Plan?

What advantage is it for me to apply using one of these plans?

If there is a college you really know you want to attend and you appear clearly well qualified for acceptance, the early application plans can make life much easier. Early acceptance programs help remove some of the stress and strain of your senior year. Once you are accepted you can just focus on finishing up your high school career with much less to worry about.

What is the time frame for applying and (hopefully) getting accepted?

Usually, most colleges let you know their acceptance decisions by mid-April and you have until May 1 to let them know what you want to do. With early application you are expected to apply earlier for the school of your choice (usually by November 15th) and the college will notify you within a short time if you are accepted. They generally get back to you by mid December. Dates may vary depending on the college you apply to.

What happens if I am accepted early and my grades go down the tubes my senior year?

Under these plans your first semester senior grades do not directly affect whether or not you are accepted. Don't assume you've got it "made in the shade" once you have been accepted. If you just hang out and let your grades slip your early admission can be taken back. Colleges will generally evaluate your senior year transcripts after completion of your senior year If you blow it, they can send you on your way! This also applies with regular acceptance options. If you let your grades deteriorate schools can "uninvite" you.

What do I agree to if I use the Early Decision Plan?

In this plan the assumption is that you have an excellent chance of being accepted based on your overall performance so far. The plan requires that you commit yourself to an agreement that says if you are admitted to the school YOU WILL ENROLL there. As soon as you are accepted, the school wants a commitment deposit immediately. You are also expected to withdraw any other applications you may have outstanding with other schools. One NOTE OF CAUTION-- some schools require that you wait until notified by them about NOT being accepted before you can apply to other schools. This poses a certain amount of risk if you are not accepted so consider this option carefully.

What do I agree to if I use the Early Action Plan?

This plan is simple and straight forward. In this system, you are notified that you are accepted early, but you do not have to commit to the school until the standard May 1st enrollment commitment day. You do not have to submit a commitment deposit until that May 1st date either. The Early Action Plan is the least stressful way to go if offered. It can give you the security of knowing that you have been accepted without the weight of having to commit early. Again, be aware that declining grades could affect whether or not you are eligible to follow through on this plan also.