Thoughts from the Schuler College Counseling Department

by Robert Andrews, Director of College Counseling

  According to the US News and World Report data, applying under the Early Decision Plan can significantly increase your chances of being accepted to college (http://bit.ly/rF0xzg). For years, only the wealthiest students have used this method of applying, as shopping for the best bargain was not a particular concern. However, with net-price calculators becoming the norm and more colleges guaranteeing to meet 100% demonstrated need with limited (or what I like say “reasonable”) loans, more low and middle income students are getting in on the action. 

As a college counselor for mostly low-income and working class families, encouraging early decision used to make me nervous. I knew the benefits from working in admissions at a highly selective university, but I also knew that by committing early a student couldn’t shop around for the best deal. For my students, $1000 less in loans or more in grant money could mean paying rent on time or food on the table for their families.  However, the benefits are really enticing. A top student with outstanding grades and scores who falls in love with Dartmouth on a fly out, can apply early and if accepted, be free to enjoy a less stressful senior year. A student on the bubble at Pomona with great grades, but more modest testing, could use the advantage of applying early to secure a spot in freshman class, just like many of their peers were doing in independent schools across the country. Because of these benefits, I started making many phone calls.

I wanted to know which schools I could trust to meet the need of any student who applied. Overtime, more and more of these schools were advertising their generous financial aid policies so parents didn’t just have to take my word for it.  Now with the addition of net-price calculators being mandated on college websites, students can get even more accurate estimates of what a financial aid package will look like (now all they just have to learn is how to read a financial aid package).  It is becoming a win-win situation for students interested in schools that are capable of meeting full need without outrageous loans. Students who fall in love with a particular school and those who want to utilize a clear advantage can do so with their eyes wide open regarding what the financial aid package will look like once admitted. If the parents are good with the estimated bottom line, I encourage Early Decision (and Early Decision II) for any student who feels ready to make a commitment.  This year about 40% of Schuler Scholars have been accepted to a college through the Early Decision I round with another small group using the Early Decision II option.  If you include Early Action (the non-binding version of Early Decision), over 50% of all seniors were admitted to college before the New Year.

You don’t have to take my word for it. A number of Schuler Scholars commented on their early application experiences:

“Early Decision is the best thing that ever happened to me. There was no competition. The minute I walked on the campus, I knew Swarthmore College was for me. Before semester finals, I already knew that I was accepted into my first choice school. The most important thing I learned about the ED process was not to sell myself short. Don't tell yourself where you won't get in. Have confidence in yourself and let the admissions office make the decision. Apply to that reach school you don't think you can get into. For my school the percent accepted was practically doubled for ED applicants. I almost didn't apply because I doubted my ability to get in. That would have been the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.” –Kandyce McConico, Swarthmore College ‘16

“I applied early to Grinnell College in Iowa because I felt confident that this is the college for me. There is no easy way to define why it was my favorite. Most of the colleges that we looked at seemed to blend together since they shared a lot of the same educational opportunities. It was partially my gut feeling.  Applying early was not a simple task for me. It meant I had to finish my personal statement and supplemental essays by November 15. I began this process in the summer during our boot camp sessions and continued it during our Monday programs after school. Cassandra and my other Scholar Coaches were very helpful in editing my essays and jump starting my thinking process. It was an experience that forced me to reflect and learn more about myself, my writing skills, and my interests. It was an interesting experience and in the end, applying early was worth it. I put a lot of hard work into my essays and thankfully I was accepted to my first choice college. Applying early, I knew, was not something to take lightly and I didn't assume I would be accepted. I had to talk to my parents about it and make sure applying ED was what I wanted. There was no turning back, but I'm ok with it since I knew what I wanted.“ -Gabby Mercado, Grinnell College ‘16

“I applied early because I thought it was a great opportunity for me to show Lawrence University, which was my first choice, that I was very interested in going there. It was a relief knowing that I was going to the school I wanted to go before the end of my first semester. I could see myself on campus and in the classrooms. Applying early made me put more effort to it because I knew I wanted to go there. Choosing Lawrence was the best decision of my life!!!” -Juliana Zabala-Angel, Lawrence University ‘16

Now, not all students are admitted to their Early Decision or Early Action schools. A number of scholars were deferred to the regular pool. This means that their application was competitive, but the college wanted more information. There are many explanations for being deferred and it is sometimes hard to know which category you fall into.

• It could have been that the college wanted more information about the applicant pool. Were you deferred because you were similar to other students and the college wants to see how you compare before making a decision? 

• Was the applicant pool from your high school or community particularly competitive this year? The most popular colleges and universities at one high school may expect a certain quality of applicant given past years’ experience and will wait to make many decisions if they know to expect large numbers of applicants.  

• Was the student compelling, but because they had a bad quarter grade senior year or were on an upward trend in high school? Many times, if an applicant is on the bubble, a college wants to see strong senior year first semester to make a positive decision? 

• You overshot and the college or university doesn’t tend to deny anyone during the early round. If this is the case and you are getting a bit of a reality check, this could be the most difficult for you and your family. 

Regardless of why, being deferred is tough. Being in a sort of limbo with your first choice school is hard. If you were denied, you could move on and start to focus on your second or third choices. You could have closure and know that it was not meant to be. Many times, it is easy to dismiss a deferral and treat it like a deny.  However, being deferred, although psychologically difficult for many teenagers, doesn’t mean you aren’t going to be admitted later on. Here are some tips on what to do when you are deferred. 

1) Talk to your college counselor. He or she may be able to have a candid conversation with your ED College about your application to learn more about how it was received. This information can help you with your regular decision applications and might alleviate some stress. He or she may also have knowledge about the applicant pool this year that you just don’t know. Colleges always read applications in the context of their high school. Maybe the pool at your school was just too competitive this year. Your college or guidance counselor can give you some insight into the type of applicant that was admitted from your school this year (if any were even admitted).

2) Make sure your senior year grades are flawless.  There is nothing more than showing you can juggle stress and tough academic work than your grades. Colleges love to see that a deferred student was unflappable even after receiving bad news. A solid senior year suggests you can handle the rigors of college, especially if you have some Advanced Placement courses in your schedule. This tip goes for EVERYONE. Colleges have been known to revoke admissions decisions (I have seen this first hand) for poor senior grades.

3) Take the ACT or SAT’s one more time (but only if you are serious about studying).  If you think your testing is a bit on the modest side and you think you can do better, try taking the exam one more time. I don’t typically like to recommend this for someone who has already taken the exam three times just because statistically the likelihood of your score increasing is not particularly high.

4) Continue to express interest. Make sure to contact your admissions representative to continue to let them know you are still interested in the college. No matter how upset you are, DO NOT take it out on the admissions officer. Make sure your parents are on the same page. I know getting deferred is upsetting, but yelling or arguing with the person who is your advocate will ensure you a denial letter in the spring. A quick phone call or short polite email should be enough to let them know that although you are disappointed, you still hope to join their community in the fall.

5) Put together a “portfolio” of senior year accomplishments. Many times, a lot happens in the months after submitting an Early Decision application. Make sure that the admissions office knows of any recent accomplishments or changes to your application. Obviously, your senior year grades will be sent, but if there is anything else, a particular award, honor, achievement or experience that has impacted you, it is important to share that with the admissions office. Just make sure you do this in an appropriate way.  Sending emails every week to give them an update is excessive. Once your senior grades are sent, sit down and put together a list of things you want to add and send it off in an email to your admissions representative. This should be a few weeks after your initial email, so you don’t seem needy or harassing.  Carefully timed, correspondence can keep you in the mind of your reader without annoying them.  If you don’t have any accomplishments, do not make them up. Continue to be genuine. 

6) Revisit your college list. Make sure you have a balanced list of colleges and universities that you like. Many ED applicants, who find themselves deferred or denied, realize as they research the other schools on their list that although they loved their ED school, they didn’t really do enough research to justify the decision to apply early in the first place. Although, this is best done before the ED deadline, learning about other colleges and universities can spark new excitement about your future and the application process. In the end, you are going to end up going to a great place. You just have to wait until spring to find out which one.

Regardless of whether you were admitted early or deferred or even denied. The mere fact that you submitted an early application says something about you. You are motivated, dream big and are organized enough to get your personal statement done in the midst of juggling all of the responsibilities of your senior year.  These are characteristics to be proud of and qualities that colleges, graduate schools and future employers look for. Continue to nurture them and you will be fine in life, regardless of where you end up spending the “next four years” of your life. Congratulations on making it this far!

Class of 2012 Early Acceptances (those in bold are Early Decision so the student will be matriculating):

• Babson College
• Bard College
• Bucknell University (3)
• Colby College
• Colorado College
• Dartmouth College (2)
• University of Denver
• Grinnell College (2)
• Haverford College (2)
• Kalamazoo College (2)
• Lawrence University (2)
• Macalester College
• Occidental College (2)
• Ohio Wesleyan University (2)
• Pitzer College
• Princeton University
• Scripps College (2)
• Smith College (2)
• Stanford University
• Swarthmore College (2)
• Tufts University 
• Vanderbilt University (2)
• Vassar College
• Wellesley College
• Wesleyan University
• Williams College