National debates on early decision programs - in which applicants to college pledge to enroll if admitted, and are informed early - focus on whether the system favors the wealthy. Conventional wisdom (and plenty of evidence from elite institutions) suggests that savvy students from better high schools are more likely to apply early - and to fill a large share of the class at elite institutions. Check this chart to compare the different acceptance rats between early and regular programs at the eight Ivy League institutions.

The Debate

The issue of early decision has been a hot one. Yale and Stanford University announced in 2002 that they were ending their binding Early Decision (ED) admissions program. Instead, students were able to apply Early Action (EA) but won't be made to attend if they get in. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has adopted Restrictive Early Action (REA) as a recognized option under the Definitions of Admission Decision Options in Higher Education. These institutions generally allow a student to apply to one--and only one--"early" school, hear of the decision in December, but not have to make a commitment until the regular May candidate reply deadline. While the list is subject to change, here is a summary of schools offering REA: Hampden-Sydney College, Hampshire College, Stanford University, University of San Diego, University of San Francisco, Susquehanna University, Wellesley College, Yale University. Georgetown and Boston College allow students to apply to other EA, but not ED institutions. Since this information frequently changes, check the college website or see your counselor for details.

Application Definitions and Choices

Regular Decision

Most students complete what is called a "Regular Decision" application. This application often has a deadline in January and a standard date--usually around April 1--when you will be notified of your acceptance.

Some schools, primarily large state universities, don't admit their freshmen all at once. Instead they make admission decisions as the applications are submitted. Therefore if you apply in October, you might hear in November. Admission officers keep accepting and rejecting students until the freshman class is filled. Obviously, if this school uses "rolling admission" you should get your application in early. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get admitted. Plus you'll feel better if you have at least one acceptance early.

Early Decision

Early Decision (ED), an option offered by about 10% of colleges, is an application program under which you indicate that a specific college is your absolute first choice. The deadline for ED is usually November 1 with decisions being announced around December 15. The important thing to remember about an ED application is that if you are accepted, you must withdraw applications to all other colleges and agree to attend the Early Decision school. SAS counselors are ethically required to hold you to your early decision and will not submit transcripts or applications to other schools if you are admitted ED. You should only use the ED plan if you have an absolute first choice school.

One of the major advantages is that admission committees feel positive about a student who has clearly designated their college as the first choice. Because of this, at most schools students who apply ED have a better chance of admission than those who apply under the regular decision program. Children of alumni are especially at an advantage under this program at some schools (e.g., University of Pennsylvania).

If you are not accepted, you will either be rejected or deferred. If it seems clears that you will not "make the cut" in April, the school will notify you in December that you have been denied. Some schools (e.g., Northwestern) either admit or deny the vast majority of students who apply ED with very few students being deferred. Those students who still have a chance of being admitted--or those who didn't get their SAT scores sent to the college in time but appear to be admissible--are usually deferred. Deferred students are reconsidered in the spring with the regular decision applicants.

The major disadvantage to the ED program is that you will have less time to review all of your options and will have to commit to a school very early in your senior year. Also, if you have a very strong first semester, ED schools will not see those good grades.

Early Action

Early Action schools allow you to apply early and receive an early notification, but they do not require you to withdraw your other applications. Applications are usually due on November 1 and notification is made in mid-December, but accepted students don't have to decide which offer to accept until the regular May 1 reply date. EA, which was a popular option a decade ago, is now found less and less as schools move to REA, ED or drop early programs completely.