Early application deadlines are just around the corner (November 1 at most schools!), so it’s time to get serious about Early Decision or ED (Unsure what Early Decision is? Click here.). While many approach ED by applying to their dream school, you may not have one dream school in mind. Plus, the best ED selections involve strategy just as much as (if not more than) emotion.
If you’re torn between two or three potential ED schools, read on for some tips on how to choose:
Visit virtually (or in-person, if you’re able)
Colleges have vastly expanded their virtual offerings since March 2020, so it’s never been easier to get to know a college from the comfort of your room. Do a tour, attend a session directed at your major or department, interview (if available/offered), and explore college YouTube channels.
As you watch, listen, and connect with each school, ask questions of the staff and students you meet virtually. How easy is it to change majors? What classes are you required to take (and is this a deal-breaker for you)? How accessible are the professors? What is career development like? What is the social life like?
Try to imagine yourself walking the campus, chatting with the students, and taking classes. Do the environment, attitudes, and mission of the school align with your goals?
Ask yourself: “Will I be comfortable withdrawing all my other applications if accepted to this school?”
The fundamental purpose of ED is to improve your chances of acceptance by committing to one school above all others. For each school you’re considering, visualize yourself opening an acceptance letter in December and realizing this is the school you must attend. Are you thrilled? Relieved? Excited? Or are you wondering what if?
If you visualize this scenario and find yourself wondering “what if” about one of your other schools, then maybe that school is the right choice for you instead.
Choose a “reasonable reach”
It’s possible that one or two of your dream schools are just that– dreams.
It just doesn’t make sense to apply ED to Columbia, for example, if you have a 3.0 GPA with no advanced classes. Ideally, your ED choice should be a college or university that slightly stretches beyond your academic and extracurricular profile, meaning the ED commitment will give you just enough of a boost to have your application accepted.
You can check acceptance rates, average GPAs, and median SAT/ACT scores online for most universities to get a sense of how you stack up against previous admitted students. But keep in mind that many other unreported factors also influence admission decisions, including essays, extracurricular involvement, interviews, recommendation letters, and even geographic location or high school.
With so many colleges and universities to choose from and so many factors influencing your chances of admission, deciding where to apply ED can be tough. Make some time for self-reflection to determine what you want and consult a LogicPrep College Advisor for personalized insight into reasonable reach schools for you.