The early college application deadline is now the new regular decision deadline!
Colleges continue to see an increase in application numbers, which is prompting some schools to accept as much as 60% of their freshman class during the early decision round. Colleges are doing this to guarantee a certain percentage of their class early, which also translates to expected income via tuition fees. The practice has skyrocketed since Covid because the colleges have been fearful that they will be unable to fill their incoming class, so they’ve accepted students early as a sort of insurance strategy.
For example, Washington University in St. Louis saw an increase of 70% in early decision applications and filled 60% of their incoming class during the early round. Admissions officials state that the ease of use of the Common Application entices students to apply to upwards of 15 colleges, which is one reason why the current application numbers are astronomical.
Elizabeth Heaton, a former admissions professional at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that “It’s definitely functioning as affirmative action for the rich” regarding the early decision process for those students who are able to pay the full tuition amount without needing financial aid. However, students who apply early and who request financial aid receive notice regarding their financial aid with their acceptance letters.
Given that the early deadline is now considered the new regular deadline, students need to complete their application tasks earlier. The summer prior to senior year should be spent on college tasks, such as creating a resume, collecting materials for portfolio submissions, and writing essays. The student’s college list and visiting of school campuses should occur during junior year, if not sooner.
Global Academic Consultants is available to assist your student with the college application process.