Truth: Submitting your application by the deadline is key. Most of the time, however, submitting your application earlier than the college requires does not guarantee you’ll be accepted. But, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead, allow for ample time to complete the application, and of course, write your essays.

But what if you already know which college you wish to attend? Getting a head start on your application can have its advantages. First, take a careful look at the many options available during the application process. Several colleges and universities provide an Early Decision Program for students who are certain of which colleges they wish to attend.  

What is an Early Decision Program?

An Early Decision program allows high school students the opportunity to get a jump-start on the application process. A word of caution: make sure you do your research and you are certain you want to go to a particular college, as most Early Decision programs require you to withdraw all applications at other schools and attend if you are accepted. Check with the admissions department to see if they offer an Early Decision program, and if so, what kind of restrictions apply.  

What are the benefits of an Early Decision Program?

• A better chance of getting into the college you want:

Statistics show many colleges let in more early decision applicants than regular applicants. This makes sense when you think about it. Colleges want students who are serious about attending their schools because this affects their "yield" (the percentage of students who enroll out of all the students who are accepted). Early decision applicants are often required to attend and therefore, the school's yield goes up along with its rankings.

• A head start:

Being a part of an early decision program means you will have an earlier application deadline, usually six weeks before the regular admissions deadline. However, this also means that you will hear a decision before regular applicants and that means you can begin your financial aid applications, dorm assignments and one-on-one college interviews before the rest of the group. One early decision applicant talks about their experience here.

What are some disadvantages of an Early Decision Program?

• Binding agreement:

One thing you must keep in mind is that if you’re accepted as an Early Decision student, you must attend the college. This is why it is so important to do as much research on the schools that interest you as you can. Make sure you know tuition rates, GPA expectations, graduation requirements, and expected financial aid before you begin an Early Decision Program. 

• Only one application:

If you decide to go the Early Decision route, keep in mind you can only apply to one school’s Early Decision program. If you wish to apply to any other college or university, you will have to go through the regular application process.

Tell us what you think about the early decision program. What do you like/dislike about it? Have you had a good experience with it? We want to hear from you

Truth: If you choose a college only because of its high ranking in publications like U.S. News & World Report, you could be making your decision based on a very limited view of the school. The ranking criteria used by U.S. News, Princeton Review, and the like are usually based on student retention, faculty-to-student ratios, actual graduation growth and even the alumni giving rate.  

While you want your college to be a solid educational institution, you also want to evaluate your options based on what campus life is like. That may require scheduling a campus visit or overnight stay for a first-hand look. In addition, a college with a strong academic concentration in the major that interests you most could also be very important to you. After all, most of us want a job upon graduation and a school that can prepare you to achieve post-graduation goals is key. So keep in mind, there are many factors beyond prestige that come into play when choosing a college experience that fits you personally.   

First of all, choose a school that fits within the criteria you have set for the ideal college. For instance, many of the top-ranked schools are on the East Coast. If, however, you know that you want to stay close to home in the Midwest, choosing a top-ranked school in New York may not fit the boundaries you’ve set for the right college. If you haven’t made a list, here is a place to get you started.

You can also use the rankings to your advantage. Think of it as a great way to do more research. If you find that College X is known for their journalism program, which interests you, ask questions specifically about this program. Find out why they are so highly ranked. What is it that sets them apart? Why should you go there before choosing another school with a similar ranking? If they don’t have satisfactory answers to your questions, it’s time to move onto a different school.

Finally, do your own research. Going to sites like the National Center for Education Statistics and college admissions blogs like George Mason's Not Your Average Admissions Blog are two great ways to start.

Bottom line, search for a college that is appropriate for you. Rankings will be meaningless if you’re not at a school that is true to your interests and needs. If you don’t know what those important needs might be, here’s a breakdown of reasons why some current college students chose the colleges they now attend.