Early Admissions

One of the most important questions you will have to answer during the undergraduate admissions process is: Should I apply early? Ivy Admissions can provide you with all of the information and support you need to answer this difficult question in the first phase of our unique four-phase approach. Here are just a few of the important points to consider:

Should I apply early or wait until the Regular Decision/Action deadline?

Colleges and universities will tell you that there is no competitive advantage to be gained by applying early. Harvard vows that its higher acceptance rate for early applicants is due to the high qualifications of this self-selected group. Assuming there truly is no competitive advantages, here are some things to think about:

Regular Decision/Action gives you the important advantage of time. Time to complete your application perfectly, time to write a great essay, time to improve your transcript and participation in extracurricular activities. Moreover, guidance counselors and teachers will have more time to get to know you and refine their recommendations.

If your academic and extracurricular record has always been strong, you are prepared ahead of time, and you have a clear first choice, you may want to apply early. Some applicants imagine that applying early shows a school that the applicant is really interested, which can help their chances, though no school will officially admit this. More importantly, early admission can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're in. But don't forget that in return, you get the stress of earlier deadlines.

What is the difference between Early Action and Early Decision?

Both Early Action and Early Decision programs allow students to apply to and receive an answer from a college during the fall of their senior year. If a student is admitted under an Early Action program he or she has until the spring of their senior year to decide whether or not to attend that school. If a student is admitted under an Early Decision program, however, he or she is required to attend that school.

Early Decision candidates are notified of admission decisions and financial aid awards in mid-December. Early Decision is a binding agreement: If you are offered admission under the Early Decision Program (and you are provided with a financial aid package that enables you to attend), you must withdraw any applications to other colleges that you may have already initiated, and you are not allowed to apply to any other colleges.

More information on this important decision is available from our admissions counselors, and on the web at our full-service client page, available exclusively to Ivy Admissions clients. Contact us or sign up with Ivy Admissions to learn more.

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