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Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Early Decision: Good or Bad
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An education consultant called me yesterday to talk about controversy over whether colleges should have an early decision process. Students can find out much earlier in their senior year whether their favorite college wants them. In some cases, the student must commit to attend the college if it accepts him or her early. In other cases, the student does not promise to attend even with an early acceptance.
I know the college application landscape is littered with applications these days. Students apply to tons of colleges - sometimes a dozen or more - out of fear they won’t get in anywhere.
The education consultant favors early admission, because he says it allows students to know sooner where they are going to college and then to focus on academics and extra-curriculars during their senior year without stressing about college prospects. Also, it gives parents and students more time to get their financial aid squared away.
On the con side, a policy wonk weighs in saying early admissions favors white, wealthy students who can commit to a school early without comparing various financial aid packages. Students sometimes commit too quickly based on an early decision acceptance out of fear that they wouldn’t get a better offer when, in fact, they probably would have had several good options to consider.
There’s more to this complex issue, but I’m weighted down right now with stories and tips and wanted to put this out there for parents to consider.
Parents, students, counselors etc., is early decision a do or a don’t?
