The college application process is an arduously stressful and utterly confounding process that is the culmination of 13+ years of education, singularly focused on the idea that the school you attend will determine the course of the rest of your life. Parents, these days have become so extra ambitious, we get inquiries from pre-kindergarten parents, already trying to crack the secret code of how to get into Harvard (hint: there isn’t one). The entire education consulting industry exists to serve the needs of a burgeoning population of ambitious students competing for an increasingly smaller chance of getting accepted anywhere. You'd think picking a school would be the hard part, but no, universities have decided to throw in a few extra curveballs with their array of application requirements. I’ll start this by attempting clear up some of the confusion of how applications to US colleges and universities work.
Side note: Americans just say ‘college’ for everything in tertiary education. No one says ‘I went to university at...’ I learned that when I moved overseas many, many years ago.
So, here’s a simplified breakdown of what sort of application decisions you’ll be facing, in addition to choosing very, very carefully…
Early Decision (ED): The One Ring to Rule Them All
ED is like that exclusive club you've always dreamt of joining. It's binding, meaning if you get in, you're legally obligated to attend. You apply early (usually November), get a decision early (December), and if you're in, congratulations, your college search is over! Sounds great, right? Well, it is... if you're 1000% sure about your dream school. ED shows the admissions committee that you're committed, and that can boost your chances of acceptance. Admissions committees are of course, going to try to figure out why you applied ED, so my advice is have a really good reason cooked up. I always ask my students why they want to ED a particular school, and if the reason is, ‘it has pretty buildings’ (true case for a student I had last year), you are not making a convincing argument. Your ED school is by far the most important, because it’s the one you’re supposed to want the most. Needless to say, it isn’t a decision to make lightly or without consulting an expert like yours truly.
Restrictive Early Action (REA): The "I Like You, But I'm Not Sure Yet" Option
REA is like ED's non-committal cousin. It's still early, but it's not binding. You can apply to only one REA school and get an early decision, but you're not obligated to attend. The catch? You usually can't apply to other private schools' early programs. It's a way to show a school you're really interested without fully committing.
Early Action (EA): The "Let's See What Happens" Approach
EA is the most relaxed of the early options. It's non-binding, you can apply to multiple EA schools, and there are no restrictions. It's a good choice if you want an early decision but aren't ready to put all your eggs in one basket. You get to see if you get into your top choices early, and then you have until the regular decision deadline to make up your mind.
Regular Decision (RD): The Procrastinator's Paradise
RD is the traditional route. You apply later (usually January or February), get a decision later (March or April), and have all the time in the world to stress about your essays and contemplate your life choices. It's the most flexible option, but it also means you're competing with a larger pool of applicants. ED/REA/EA applicants are often deferred to this pool of candidates for not being quite appealing enough to get in but not unappealing enough to face instant rejection. You just have to wait 6 agonizing months to see if you get in with the rest. I won’t mention waitlist here and will save that for a later article.
Why is this so complicated?
Honestly, we're not entirely sure. Maybe colleges like to keep us on our toes. Maybe they enjoy watching us scramble to meet deadlines. Or maybe it's just a way to weed out the truly dedicated from the casual applicants. Whatever the reason, it's a confusing system that adds unnecessary stress to an already stressful process.
So, what should you do?
If you have a clear first-choice school and a strong application, Early Decision can be a great way to increase your chances of getting in. Just be absolutely sure you're ready to commit before you hit that submit button. If you're not quite there yet, Early Action or Restrictive Early Action can give you an early glimpse into your admissions prospects without the pressure of a binding decision. And if you're still exploring your options or need more time to polish your application, Regular Decision is always there for you.
Remember, the most important thing is to choose the path that's right for you and don’t go into it blind. Don't let the complexities of the college application process overwhelm you. Seek help from professionals who try to alleviate your stresses and maximize your chance of admission. There are no guarantees…ever and anyone who guarantees you admission is a con-artist or a charlatan you should walk away from as quickly as possible. Educate yourself, be informed, and let us help you build a profile that will present you as perfect ‘bait’ for the school of your dreams.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.