How to Apply to College Early Decision or Early Action

Thinking about applying to college early decision or early action? Early decision programs accept applicants earlier than "regular decision" programs-keep in mind the following before you initiate a binding early decision agreement with any school or university:

Are you sure this is where you want to go?

Look at more than just one or two colleges before deciding to apply early decision. Generally, early decision is for someone who absolutely loves the school and has no doubt that is where they want to go. Also, speak with alumni and recent graduates to get the "inside scoop" on the benefits and drawbacks of going to school there. No university is perfect-things like surrounding town life, cost, academic programs available, the friendliness of the student body, and so forth should all be taken into consideration before applying early.

Are you financially able to do an early decision program?

Generally, early decision applicants may not be eligible for financial aid-or may be eligible for less than regular decision applicants. If your family is wealthy enough to send you to the school without any aid, certainly considering applying early decision.

Is your application strong enough to get you in "regular decision"?

If your academic record, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars are very strong, you may not need to apply early. Consider waiting until the regular decision deadline; this way you can apply to more than one school simultaneously (a good option if you aren't totally set on one school yet) and you may also be eligible for financial aid packages this way.

Early decision and early action programs require strict adherence to the terms and conditions set forth by the college. Make sure you don't break any of their rules-for example, if accepted early decision you are contractually obligated to send a reservation tuition deposit and enroll in the school. If accepted, in other words, you absolutely must go there. Also, you can only apply early decision to one school. (Early action programs sometimes allow you to apply early to numerous universities; check with each school to make sure exactly what their policy is about this.)

Finally, you should consider if you want to go to college immediately after graduating from high school. It is becoming increasingly popular to take a year off before attending a four-year undergraduate program. You can spend this time relaxing and rejuvenating, work on that novel you have been meaning to write, or join a community service organization at home or abroad and make a real difference in the lives of others. Of course, you can also take a year to make money and save for college so you will have some "spending cash" when you get there.