If you applied Early Action or Early Decision or Restricted Early Action to college, you were probably exhausted two weeks ago. Before you begin working on additional time consuming essays, you’re probably thinking you can sit around and wait until December 8th or 10th or whenever you are supposed to hear from the college of your dreams.
Wrong.
The last thing you want to do is count your chickens before they’re hatched.
It’s true that your chances of acceptance are higher if you’ve applied Early. At least if you’re an athlete or a legacy. But if you’re like everyone else, they might actually be more difficult.
Last year, countless students were deferred from their first choice college, only to be accepted in the regular round.
This year, according to the New York Times, many colleges saw an increase in applications for their binding Early Decision plans, including Brown, Cornell, Duke and Pomona. For a full list, see the New York Times article.
The other issue to consider is financial aid. Yes, you might get into your first choice college. But what if your second choice college gives you a fantastic scholarship?
So it’s time to get back to work on those supplemental essays. The worst thing that can happen is that you get into your first choice college and you don’t end up using them.
Juliet Giglio
Educational Consultant in Syracuse, New York
