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Decisions, DecisionsFeb 06 '00 Write an essay on this topic.You are a junior in high school. You have taken the ACT and/or SAT, and are beginning to receive mountains of brochures, VCR tapes, etc. for all kinds of colleges across the nation. This can be a very exciting, yet stressful time. As you sift through the boxes and bags overflowing with your mail, you start noticing things such as ratios, tuition, applications, early decision.... Huh? Early decision? What's that? Many students will wait until the early spring of their senior year to apply to colleges. These students often send in several applications to colleges, and may even receive admittance letters to all they have applied. The student will then choose, out of the ones it has been accepted into, their final choice. Many colleges offer students to submit their applications for admittance in the fall of their senior year. If admitted, the student is committed to attend that particular college come the next fall. Why do colleges offer early decision? Colleges are businesses. They would like for every student slot filled when the fall rolls around. As many students as they can get to commit to their school, the more slots they know will be filled. Not only is this financially advantageous for the school's budget, many schools use their enrollment rates as selling points for the recruiting in the following years. Is it smart for a student to apply early? That depends.... You need to have done your research before you apply early. Once you have applied (this includes sending in that hefty application fee), and if you are accepted, you are committed to attend this school. You have filled up one of the school's slots. There's no turning back. If it is the fall of your senior year, you shouldn't even think about early decision unless you are 100% sure that this is the college you want to attend. So you are 100% sure you would like to attend. You have memorized the brochures, you have visited the school's campus, you have talked to school representatives (either at your school, or on the phone). Then applying early may be a good route for you. The positives of an early decision are numerous. Towards the end of your senior year in high school, things may become very hectic. This is hardly a time where you can devote your time to fill out college applications, write essays, and decide where to go for the next 4 years. If you apply early, you can relax when your friends are trying to juggle it all. When I was a senior, I chose to apply early to Cornell College in Iowa. I was 100% sure of my decision, and felt that it would be nice to have completed my college quest. Cornell offered a special bonus for those students who were accepted early. These students were guaranteed their first choice dormitory for their freshman year. I am not sure if other schools offer such 'bonuses', but this was another reason I chose to apply early decision. Overall, applying early can prove to be very beneficial. But only to those students who have done their homework.  |
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