13.23 Does Early Decision really make a difference? The stats!
13.23 Make an informed decision
Early Decision is a binding agreement by which you commit to accepting a specific college's offer of admission, should they make you an offer. The deadline for submitting your "early" application is typically November first. In turn, the college gives you an expedited reply, typically in mid-December The submission and reply dates can be earlier or later, so be sure to check!
But is it really worth it? After all, you will never know what other colleges might have accepted you!
Athena Advises
Let's look at sample statistics on rates of acceptance in the Early versus Regular Decision rounds. You don't need to have taken Advanced Placement Staistics to see that at the colleges below, the Early Decision acceptance rate is at least twice that of the acceptance rate in the Regular Decision round. The rates can be three, four, even almost five times as high!
Interpreting these statistics can be a little complicated, beginning with the warning that correlation is not causation. Bear in mind, too, that the applications of recruited athletes are usually considered in the Early Decision round. Legacy applicants--students with parents or grandparents who attended the college in question--are well advised to apply ED.
Neverthless, I thought you would like to see the big picture presented in this chart.
There are many factors that go into your decision of whether to apply in the Early or Regular round. Remember that Early Action and Early Decision II are also options. Still, nothing, but nothing, says, "I know and love your school" like applying Early Decision.
Are you or your teenager coyly claiming, "I just want to see where I get in?" Take another look at these statistics--and the statistics for a college at which you would dearly love to increase your chances of admission.
Dr. Marlena Corcoran
Founder and CEO
PS In case you missed this, I was recently interviewed on the podcast, "Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast"--and you can access the recording for free.
Click below to learn the one thing you absolutely must not tell an Ivy League admissions committee—and what to do instead!
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