The Early Decision Bird Gets the Worm

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The Early Decision Bird Gets the Worm

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In the spring of 2002, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill threw down the gauntlet to other nationally ranked universities. They would drop binding early decision (ED), in which an applicant agrees to attend if accepted, for non-binding early action (EA). "We want to encourage students to approach their education seriously,” said Chancellor James Moeser.  “Not by using strategy.  We hope to contribute to a national climate that encourages thoughtful choice."

Five years later, only two other schools have exchanged early decision for early action: Beloit and Mary Washington.  The ‘national climate,’ in fact, has gone the opposite direction and universities are wallowing in a hurley burly whirl of “early” words. To further churn the brew, Yale, Harvard, and Stanford have “single-choice” early action. It’s non-binding but you cannot apply early anywhere else. So confusing is the present climate that all many high school students know is that they better apply to college in the same timeframe in which they go to school in the morning—early.

Early decision was initially a way for students who were passionate about one college to get the arduous process over with quickly. As competition has heated up, however, others now see it as a strategic way to get a leg up on the competition in the same way that frantic house buyers are foregoing inspections.

But foregoing a house inspection is a bad idea. So, in many cases, is early decision.

I’m concerned that students are throwing aside good college fit, negotiating power for scholarships, and time for thoughtful consideration in exchange for a frantic slap at getting in line at an elite college.

Students accepted ED are clearly at a monetary disadvantage. Carnegie Mellon University states upfront, “We are open to negotiating financial awards to compete with other institutions for students who applied during the regular decision time period.”

Current research on teen brain development suggests that making a decision about college is not so easy.  NIMH neuroscientist Jay Giedd’s highly publicized studies on the brain suggest that teenagers lack the decision making apparatus of an adult. Giedd’s brain scans suggest our brains are not mature until about age 25.

But the pressure of going ED, especially when you know others may take your slot if you don’t, can be intoxicating.

A couple of years ago, one of my former clients, Becca, decided early on that early decision was her best shot at college. She first chose early decision for Middlebury, changed her mind to Grinnell, and then changed her mind to Macalaster, where she spent the night and realized that, “It was too uptight at an east coast school” and that “a midwest school was more my thing.”

Using her school’s college tracking software, Becca could survey the horse race to get into Macalaster. She noted that more students from her high school were applying each year—five in 2004, and 12 for the fall 2005 class. Early decision, she figured, would give her a jump.

She and two other students from her high school were accepted. Did going early decision propel her application into the accepted pile? Statistics say yes.

I know one independent consultant who advises his clients to play what I call “early decision roulette.” This is how it works. First he instructs students to take all of their SAT tests before June of their junior year (In my opinion, not a good idea since they lose the extra time to prepare for the SAT Subject exams that correspond to their current high school courses) so they have SAT results for the first round of early admissions mania. Then he has them choose ED schools that have overlapping deadlines. For example, Penn ED is Nov. 1 with notification by Dec. 15. If they don't get accepted, then they can apply to a school like Colgate which has a second round of ED with a deadline of Jan. 15. Yes, this method increases your odds that you will get accepted somewhere, and may appeal to the status seeking (since both schools are highly ranked) but it overlooks that crucial factor: fit. The teenager attracted to an urban school of over 9,000—Penn—may not fit so happily into a very isolated rural setting with 2,700 students—Colgate.       

An orthodox Jewish student I worked with was unable to commit early to Penn, even though this was a great school for her. While I knew the risks in applying regular to Penn, I supported my client’s desire not to commit too early. She was a typical 17 year-old who needed more time to synthesize the options. In her case, like that of other orthodox students I work with, the issue of fit was crucial to her decision. There are only so many schools with full kosher meal plans, vibrant Hillels and orthodox services. She applied regular and was rejected by Penn, but  was admitted to Washington University and Honors at University of Michigan, where she attends.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Nevertheless, given the present situation, I reluctantly counsel many students to consider early decision if they are sure about the college and getting in is the priority. Elite colleges have made it practically impossible to do otherwise. The University of Pennsylvania admits 49% of its incoming freshman class early decision with acceptance rates of 29% for those applying ED, while admitting 15% of students applying regular. One needs only look at early decision acceptance rates at other competitive universities to see the trend: Cornell 36.6% (15% regular),  Johns Hopkins 51% (25% regular), George Washington 60% (36% regular), Brandeis 63% (35% regular)*.

Applying early decision to elite colleges improves one’s odds by as much as 50% over regular admissions, according to recent research by Avery, Fairbanks, and Zechauser highlighted in their book, The Early Admissions Game.  This was comparable to an extra 100 points on the SAT.

So while early action, which allows students the opportunity to hear early without a binding commitment, is clearly favorable to them, for colleges, it’s a different story. Most private institutions one step down from the Ivies are making policy decisions based on money and bond ratings.

“This past summer, I met with the bond rating agencies,” says William Conley, Dean of Enrollment and Academic Services at Johns Hopkins. Conley sets admissions policy at Hopkins. “We have 11 applicants for every one spot and the bond rating agencies are factoring what your strength quota is. If you’re a school that, for every enrolled kid you’re only getting three applications, then you’re on a very tight margin. …I said, ‘OK here’s the scoop. We only enroll 32% of those who are admitted and before you rush off and lower our bond rating, let me show you where they go if they don’t go here [the Ivies]. And let me show you the SAT scores of those who do come here.’”

Conley uses the University of Pennsylvania as an example. “There was a time when Penn was not viewed on the same par as the other Ivies. They really built a lot of their current success on a decision they made a long time ago to push early decision. And they proved in the long run that those ED kids keep getting academically better and better.”

“What I think is somewhat the ruination of civilization,” says Conley, “is that kids aren’t taught how to make choices. So when there are complaints that going ED instead of EA doesn’t allow them to negotiate financial packages, I’m not holding a gun to them. Life isn’t fair and we’re willing with our program to say we might lose a kid that we could have gained under EA because he needs to see financial aid packages. We’re saying to that kid, you’re going to have to make a choice.”

So what lesson does Conley give to all of us sending high schoolers off to college?

“There’s the practical and there’s the tactical.” He should know.  Two years ago he sent his son off to Davidson College in North Carolina.  Conley quizzed him about his interest since a lot of schools were recruiting him for their swim teams.  “Are your sure? What happens if you have an incredible season and all these other different places are open to you?”  

But his son was sold on Davidson and how did he apply? You guessed—early decision. And reluctantly, I would have counseled likewise.

*2006-2007 data

Eliot Applestein is an Independent College Counselor in North Bethesda, Maryland and president of Best Four Years. Comments to eliot at bestfouryears dot com. This updated article originally appeared at bestfouryears.com.