Is Early Always Better?

By Angelina Li

A binding contract pairs with a hefty list of warnings—precautions are often taken seriously.

For some seniors in high school a binding contract is what they presume to be the boost they need to get into the college they desire.

Early decision, commonly known as ED.

When a student applies early decision to a university, they commit to attending that university if accepted (Perry). A one-shot opportunity with a typical deadline of November 1st, the number of students applying under the ED bracket has increased (Moon).

In fact, in the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, Brown University saw a 10% growth in the number of ED applicants, and Dartmouth a 14% increase (Moon).

Why take the risk?

To begin, there is the enticing reward of knowing early (hence the name) that a desired college accepts. Being accepted to the ED school of choice removes the need to apply to more schools, saving both time and money. At the same time, if rejected, the typical December ED decision turnout allows for enough time to still apply before the regular decision application cycle ends.

However, applying ED often takes away the necessary financial aid opportunities a student and their family may need. With an ED acceptance comes a financial aid package that may not offer enough monetary support (Perry). To note, rescinding an ED acceptance due to financial reasons is possible, but requires additional effort to acknowledge the case to the college.

Perhaps out of a place of childhood dreams for that coveted Ivy League school (or insecurity), applying early decision results in a higher guarantee of acceptance because of the randomness in the admission process. In fact, data from the National Association for College Admission Counseling states that “early decision options do have higher admission rates for early decision applicants when compared to all applicants (61% vs. 49%, respectively)” (Perry).

Yet unless a student is nationally (to be safe, internationally) recognized, a highly skilled researcher, or a dedicated president of ten clubs with global impact, ED is not so much a benefit for the regular student that applies.

In fact, according to Eva Rothenberg of CNN, a Harvard-based research study concluded that “students from higher-income backgrounds are more likely to apply early to highly selective and Ivy League schools. . . . Applying early to these schools is a subtle demonstration of financial confidence.”

Hence, applying early often means competing with students that have had years of resources to build their application. These wealthy students have had opportunities to research with renowned professors, attend global conferences, build fancy robots for their STEM competitions, and do what they desire.

Moreover, according to senior fellow Marcella Bombardieri at the Center for American Progress, early decision is “really to (the schools’) advantage, so they can fill out their class early . . . [which] really reduc[es] the opportunity for lower-income students” (Rothenberg). Bombardieri further adds that applying early decision requires “adults in your life to guide you, whether parents who have been to college or guidance counselors who have a lot of time on their hands” (Rothenberg).

The reality is that most colleges (if any) are not hubs of philanthropic progress. Sure, they may take note of an applicant’s low income status or first-generation college student status, but colleges are still businesses. Perhaps not completely through student fees but with donations, which come from the uber-rich and successful.

The ability to have a skilled person who knows what the admission officers desire is also a significant advantage that other students do not have. Students with ED already tend to have a stellar extracurricular record, making their personal statements or supplements the avenues to demonstrate their unique personalities. Perhaps this “skilled person” is a paid admissions counselor or simply an older sibling, but in the context of all applicants, this is indeed a luxury.

Ultimately, after research, some seniors in high school may still believe that this binding contract is the boost they need to get into the college they desire. Yet for other students, perhaps truly taking into account how ED is yet another way to box in the rich and privileged for colleges to accept will lead to more informed decisions.

Works Cited

Moon, Kristen. “Early Decision Acceptance Rate Trends: What Changed in 2022-23.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2023/01/19/early-decision-acceptance-rate-trends-what-changed-in-2022-23/?sh=74c9d07211b0.

Perry, Christin. “Early Action vs. Early Decision: Explanation, Pros and Cons.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023, www.forbes.com/advisor/education/early-action-vs-early-decision/#:~:text=Does%20Early%20Application%20Increase%20Your,49%25%2C%20respectively).

Rothenberg, Eva. “University Early Decision Applications Mostly Benefit Rich Kids.” CNN, Cable News Network, 22 Oct. 2023, www.cnn.com/2023/10/22/business/early-decision-college-financial-aid/index.html.