When Did Early Decision Start?
Hey, everyone. Welcome back for another deep dive. Today, we're gonna tackle early decision.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Early decision.
Speaker 1:We're going way back to, like, its origins. Like, how did this whole thing even start? You know? If you're applying to college right now
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:This is, this is gonna be pretty eye opening.
Speaker 2:I think so.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Yeah. So early decision, we all kinda throw that term around. Right? Yeah.
Speaker 1:But what does it actually mean?
Speaker 2:Well, it means you're applying early in the admission cycle.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And if you're accepted, you are committing to going to that school.
Speaker 1:It's a big decision.
Speaker 2:Huge.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Big decision, big commitment. So that's what we're gonna unpack today. Like, how do we get to this point?
Speaker 2:Right. How did this come about?
Speaker 1:Yeah. So let's rewind the clock way, way back. Our research suggests that early decision first started popping up in the 19 fifties.
Speaker 2:Wow.
Speaker 1:I know. Right? Think about it. No online applications.
Speaker 2:No common app?
Speaker 1:No common app. Probably not even widespread air travel. It was a different world. So a few very elite institutions back then were looking for ways to kind of streamline their admissions process.
Speaker 2:Makes sense.
Speaker 1:And that's where early decision was born.
Speaker 2:Right. It's interesting because, initially, it wasn't really about giving students an advantage.
Speaker 1:I know.
Speaker 2:It was much more about the colleges themselves.
Speaker 1:Right. It was about them.
Speaker 2:They wanted to know who was definitely coming.
Speaker 1:So they could sleep at night.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Secure their class, get a clearer picture of the size and the makeup of the incoming students. It was all about predictability on their end.
Speaker 1:I guess it makes sense. So I like the back then, think about it. You're a college admissions officer.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You're getting all these applications probably in the mail.
Speaker 2:Stacks of them.
Speaker 1:Right. Stacks of paper. How do you even begin to, like, figure out who's serious? Who's just kinda testing the waters?
Speaker 2:Yeah. And who's gonna show up in the fall? Exactly. So early decision was, like, okay. The student is serious.
Speaker 2:They're in. We can count on them.
Speaker 1:So it was, like, a win win. Right? Colleges got that predictability. Students got a decision sooner. Everyone's happy.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It was like the early bird gets the worm sort of situation.
Speaker 1:Except the worm is a college acceptance letter.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:But, of course, things didn't stay that simple for long. More colleges started to see the appeal of early decision.
Speaker 2:Right. They saw their peers doing it and thought, hey, maybe we should try that too.
Speaker 1:Right. Like, everyone's jumping on the bandwagon Yeah. And they all start tweaking it, you know, adding their own little twist.
Speaker 2:They're, like, okay. How can we make this work for us?
Speaker 1:Exactly. So over time, we see new variations pop up, adjustments are made. It's constantly evolving.
Speaker 2:Like a recipe everyone keeps adding their own spice to.
Speaker 1:Exactly. It's like early decision, but make it spicy. So the 19 seventies saw even more colleges adopting early decision. It starts to become more mainstream.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And I think colleges started to realize that it wasn't just good for them. It was good for some students too.
Speaker 1:Right. It's not just about the colleges anymore. And then in the 19 nineties, we see a push for transparency.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Which makes sense because more and more students are using this pathway.
Speaker 1:Right. It's not this, like, secret handshake anymore. So colleges had to clarify their policies. Be upfront about what early decision really means.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Make sure everyone understands the rules of the game.
Speaker 1:And then things get really interesting in the 2000.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:Because that's when we see the birth of early decision I and early decision 2.
Speaker 2:The dumb dumb that.
Speaker 1:Like, what? It's like early decision had a baby and then another baby.
Speaker 2:It's getting complicated.
Speaker 1:I know. So, like, what is the deal with early decision I and 2? Can you break that down for us?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Sure. So think of early decision I as the OG early decision.
Speaker 1:The original gangster.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The original gangster. It has the earliest deadline, usually in November.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And you get your decision pretty quickly, usually by December.
Speaker 1:Got it. So that's, like, the classic early decision experience.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But then colleges realized not all students are ready to commit by November. No. Some need a little more time.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So they're like, okay. What if we offer another round of early decision?
Speaker 1:And that's where early decision 2 comes in.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's like, hey. If you miss that first deadline or you're just not sure yet, you have another chance.
Speaker 1:So it's like a backup early decision?
Speaker 2:Kind of. Yeah. It usually has a later deadline. January is pretty common.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And you get your decision a little later, but still earlier than regular decision applicants.
Speaker 1:Right. So it's still early, just not as early.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And I think it really reflects how early decision has adapted to meet the needs of students. Like, it's not this one size fits all thing anymore.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:There are options.
Speaker 1:But even with these different options, early decision is still it's a big commitment.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Because remember that binding agreement, that's still there. You apply ED. You get accepted. You're going.
Speaker 2:You're in. Yeah. No turning back.
Speaker 1:No buyer's remorse. Yeah. So that's something everyone really needs to think about.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's not a decision to take lightly.
Speaker 1:So we've talked about the history, how early decision kind of evolved over time.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But let's get down to brass tacks here. Right. Why? Why is early decision such a big deal?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Why is everyone so obsessed with it?
Speaker 1:Right. Like, what's in it for the colleges? Yeah. And what about the students? Why are they so eager to jump on this early decision train?
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a good question. So let's start with the colleges. From their perspective, early decision is like this insurance policy.
Speaker 1:Oh, interesting. Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It gives them a guaranteed group of students
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Who are definitely coming, which makes their planning so much easier.
Speaker 1:Makes sense.
Speaker 2:Right. Like, they know they've got a certain number of seats filled. They can allocate resources there. It's less stressful.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about filling those seats. It's about getting the right students.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They're looking for those students who are a perfect fit for their school.
Speaker 1:Right. Students who are really passionate about that specific college, not just applying to, like, a bunch of places and seeing what happens.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, you know, some colleges, especially those with really specialized programs
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:They really lean into early decision.
Speaker 1:Okay. Interesting. How so?
Speaker 2:Like, let's say you've got a top engineering school. They might use early decision to lock in a bunch of students with, you know, stellar math scores, build that core of their engineering class early on.
Speaker 1:Oh, I see. So it's strategic. It's not just random.
Speaker 2:It's very strategic. And let's be honest, there's a marketing aspect to it too.
Speaker 1:The college admissions game is all about marketing.
Speaker 2:Right. Like, if a college has a really high early decision acceptance rate
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:That's a big draw for students and their parents.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. For sure. Everyone wants to go to the school that's, like, hard to get into.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's like a badge of honor. Makes those applications roll in.
Speaker 1:But let's flip the script. Let's talk about the students.
Speaker 2:Okay. Yeah.
Speaker 1:If I'm a student right now drowning in college applications
Speaker 2:Stressed out.
Speaker 1:Stressed beyond belief, why would early decision appeal to me?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Besides that whole higher acceptance rate thing.
Speaker 1:Because we all know that's part of the allure.
Speaker 2:It is. But think about it. College applications are an emotional roller coaster.
Speaker 1:Oh, tell me about it.
Speaker 2:The waiting, the uncertainty, it's brutal.
Speaker 1:It's torture.
Speaker 2:Now imagine getting that acceptance letter in December.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:You're in. You're set. You can actually enjoy the rest of your senior year.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. Yeah. That would be a game changer.
Speaker 2:Right. No more agonizing over essays. No more checking your email every 5 seconds.
Speaker 1:You can actually sleep.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, you know, there's something to be said for showing a college that you're truly committed.
Speaker 1:Right. Like, you're not just playing the field. Exactly.
Speaker 2:Applying early decision sends a powerful message. It's like saying, hey. You're my top choice. I believe in what you offer.
Speaker 1:And colleges eat that up.
Speaker 2:They do. It shows initiative. It shows passion.
Speaker 1:It's like you're going the extra mile.
Speaker 2:Right. You're not just checking a box. You're showing them that you're serious.
Speaker 1:But let's be real. Early decision isn't all sunshine and roses.
Speaker 2:Right. There are some downsides.
Speaker 1:We've talked about the commitment, the binding agreement, but what else should students and their families think about before they, you know, jump headfirst into early decision?
Speaker 2:Well, one thing is the academic timeline. Remember, early decision applications are usually due in November
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Which means colleges are evaluating you based on your grades through junior year.
Speaker 1:So if you had a rough sophomore year
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But you really turned things around junior year
Speaker 2:You might wanna wait.
Speaker 1:Right. Because you don't have that senior year track record yet.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, you know, early decision means early deadlines.
Speaker 1:Ugh. Deadlines.
Speaker 2:I know. Right?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So you've gotta be ready to hustle, get those essays written, those recommendations in.
Speaker 1:It's a lot of pressure.
Speaker 2:It is. And speaking of pressure, let's talk about financial aid.
Speaker 1:Okay. Yeah. The big one.
Speaker 2:Applying early decision can sometimes limit your ability to compare financial aid packages from different colleges.
Speaker 1:Right. Because you're committing before you know how much it's gonna cost.
Speaker 2:Exactly. So if financial aid is a major factor
Speaker 1:Which it is for a lot of families.
Speaker 2:It is, then you really need to weigh your options. Sometimes the flexibility of regular decision might be a better choice.
Speaker 1:Right. It's all about finding the best fit for your situation.
Speaker 2:Exactly. There's no one size fits all answer.
Speaker 1:So early decision, it's a powerful tool, but it's not for everyone.
Speaker 2:It's a big decision.
Speaker 1:It is with big implications. So you gotta do your research, weigh the pros and cons. Absolutely. So we spent a lot of time talking about early decision, but it's important to remember that it's not the only option out there.
Speaker 2:Right. It's not the only path to college.
Speaker 1:So let's talk about those other options, you know, like early action, regular decision, even rolling admissions.
Speaker 2:Yeah. There are a lot of acronyms flying around.
Speaker 1:I know. Right? It can be confusing.
Speaker 2:It can.
Speaker 1:So let's break it down. What's the difference between early decision and these other application options?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the biggest difference, the one we keep coming back to with early decision, is that binding commitment.
Speaker 1:Right. That's huge.
Speaker 2:It is. And it's unique to early decision. The other options, you know, early action, regular decision, rolling admissions, none of them have that binding agreement.
Speaker 1:So with those, you could apply to multiple colleges, see what offers you get
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And then make your decision.
Speaker 2:You have more flexibility, more time to weigh your options.
Speaker 1:Which makes sense. Right? Like, if you're not a 100% sure about a specific college Yeah. Or you wanna see what kind of financial aid packages are out there
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Early decision might not be the best fit.
Speaker 2:It might not. It really depends on your individual circumstances comfort level with making that early commitment.
Speaker 1:Right. It's all about finding the right strategy for you.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And another big difference is the application timeline. Early decision, as we talked about, those deadlines are early.
Speaker 1:November, usually.
Speaker 2:November. Yeah. And decisions come out pretty quickly.
Speaker 1:December, so you know where you stand before the holidays.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But the other options, they have later deadlines.
Speaker 1:So you have more time to prepare your application.
Speaker 2:You do. More time to get your grades up, maybe retake the SAT or ACT, really polish those essays.
Speaker 1:But it also means you're waiting longer for a decision.
Speaker 2:You are. So there's a trade off there. Early decision, you get that peace of mind early on.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But you have less time to get your application together.
Speaker 1:With the other options, you have more time.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But you might be biting your nails until, like, March or April.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, you know, let's talk about the competition for a second.
Speaker 1:Okay. Yeah. The elephant in the room.
Speaker 2:Early decision, you often hear about higher acceptance rates.
Speaker 1:Right. That's part of the appeal.
Speaker 2:It is. But the pool of applicants tends to be smaller and, honestly, more competitive.
Speaker 1:I see. So it's not necessarily easier to get in. It's just a different pool of students.
Speaker 2:Exactly. These are students who are really confident. They've got their sights set on a specific college. They're ready to go.
Speaker 1:So it's not a shortcut.
Speaker 2:It's not. It's just a different path.
Speaker 1:And we've talked about financial aid a couple of times.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's worth mentioning again.
Speaker 1:It is because it's a big deal.
Speaker 2:Huge. Applying early decision can sometimes limit your financial aid options. You're committing to a college before you know what kind of aid they're gonna offer.
Speaker 1:So you might miss out on a better financial aid package from another school.
Speaker 2:You might. So that's something to think about carefully.
Speaker 1:So I guess the takeaway here is that there's no right or wrong answer.
Speaker 2:There isn't. It's all about finding the best path for you.
Speaker 1:Early decision, it has its advantages, but it's not a magic bullet.
Speaker 2:It's not. It's a strategic decision.
Speaker 1:And you have to weigh those pros and cons carefully. But at the end of the day, whether you go early decision, early action, regular decision, whatever Yeah. The most important thing is finding the college that's the best fit for you Mhmm. Academically, socially, financially, the whole package. And remember, if you're feeling lost or overwhelmed by all of this, College Journey is here to help.
Speaker 1:Their AI college counselor, Alice, can answer your questions, provide personalized guidance, and make this whole process a little less stressful. So check them out at collegejourney.com. And good luck with your college applications.
