Before
you even get to choose which college, you'll have
to choose how!
Decisions, Decisions
By Gina LaGuardia
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Getting ready
to apply to college? Aside from the obvious decisions
you'll have to make regarding which school, what
major, how you'll pay, and if you can really leave
your best friend behind, there's a first choice
many forget they have: What type of admission will
you choose?
Yes, you do have a choice, four of them, in fact:
There's early decision, early action, and regular
or rolling admissions.
Early Decision. According to one director
of admission, this option is best suited for "a
student who is motivated to further their education
and is serious about academics." Candidates
for this admission choice usually have a GPA and
SAT/ACT test scores that are at an all-time high.
Early decision is considered the most difficult
type of application because it has the most stringent
requirements. You can't apply anywhere else until
you're turned down, and if you are accepted, you
must enroll. That also means your tuition deposit
will be due way earlier than other students, often
before you receive notice of your financial aid
award package. The up-side: Although the competition
is stiff, there are less applicants against which
to vie for open spots. And, when financial aid consideration
day does come around (March 1st), early decision
acceptees receive first dibs on federal money since
they've already made their decision.
Early Action. If you're serious about your
college choice, but the early decision commitment
gives you the pre-college shakes, you may want to
choose early action. The deadline is the same as
for early decision applicants (usually mid-December),
and the perks for financial aid are the same as
well. Upon notification of acceptance, however,
you have the choice to decline or wait for other
offers. "Early action gives you more leeway
since you're not required to accept admission or
submit a deposit until the regular reply date,"
state the authors of The College Handbook 2000
(Peterson's, 2000). And, you can apply to other
schools and compare the financial aid award packages
you receive before making your college decision.
Regular or Rolling Admission. Regular admission
requires you to apply by a set deadline, which varies
from college to college (often beginning in mid-February).
Rolling admission, on the other hand, is a no-deadline
option. Both regular and rolling admission afford
ample time for you to weigh your offers and options.
Even though these deadlines are less strict, sooner
is usually better for your college acceptance chances. |
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So you're closer to making a decision
on applying. Now, what about choosing
a major? Yeesh! Sign up for free online
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Edge and
its archived articles on that very topic.
· Got more tips on becoming a
decision dynamo - check out "How
To Choose the Right College". |
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