Is Early Decision For Me?
For some students, one college may stand out as "the one" they really have their hearts set on. If you have a clear front-runner, Early Decision might be a good option for you.
The question of whether or not to apply for Early Decision deserves considerable thought. Although most colleges allow you to apply to other schools at the same time you are applying to them as an Early Decision student, you can apply to only one school for Early Decision, so that school must be the one you really want to attend. Under most Early Decision plans, applications are submitted during the fall of the senior year of high school. The college admission offices then give applicants early notice of their admissions decision. NYU's Early Decision deadline is November 1st, and we notify candidates by mid-December.
If you are accepted through an Early Decision program, you are usually obligated to withdraw all applications to other schools without ever learning if you would have been offered admission there. Most schools, including NYU, consider Early Decision a moral contract that must be honored by the student if accepted. In exchange for this commitment, the college provides freshman applicants with their admissions decision in several months earlier than all other applicants. NYU also gives priority consideration for all NYU merit scholarships and priority placement in NYU freshman housing to Early Decision students.
An Early Decision Application May Have a Better Chance
There are several advantages to applying for Early Decision; the most obvious is that Early Decision may increase your chances of being offered admission.
At most schools, including NYU, the Early Decision applicant pool is considerably smaller than the Regular Decision applicant pool. The number of regular admission acceptances NYU can make is limited by the number of spots we have available in the freshman class. Due to space limitations, each year we deny admission to Regular Decision students whose qualifications are quite similar to those we have admitted. However, we don't have to limit the number of Early Decision admission offers we can make.
Many schools accept a higher rate of Early Decision applicants than Regular Decision candidates because they are eager to increase the number of enthusiastic students who genuinely want to attend their school. When you apply as an Early Decision student, it's a clear signal to admissions officers that their school is your first choice.
Early Decision Alleviates Senior Year Stress
Early Decision programs also reduce the stress and tension of waiting until spring when schools traditionally mail acceptance or rejection letters. With Early Decision, you will enjoy a more relaxed senior year while your friends are still waiting to hear. And, if the admissions decision is not what you hoped it would be, at least you'll know early on in the process that you need to set your sights on a different school - and you'll still have plenty of time to do so.
One Final Thing to Consider About Early Decision
While there are numerous advantages to Early Decision, your family needs to feel confident that it can work out financing for the college you apply to under an Early Decision plan. While most schools provide Early Decision students with estimated financial aid packages, you won't know what you might have received from other colleges. Even if you know for certain that you want to attend your first-choice college if you are offered admission, an Early Decision plan is probably not the best option for you if your family needs to compare the financial aid packages offered from several different colleges in order for you to decide which college to attend.
How to Apply for Early Decision
At NYU, the same application is used for Early Decision and regular admission, but applicants must clearly identify themselves as Early Decision applicants. On the NYU application, your should check the appropriate box under "Filing Status" on the first page and sign the Early Decision Agreement on the last page. If you use the Common Application to apply, follow the instructions to indicate you are an Early Decision candidate for NYU.
Financial Aid and Early Decision
As indicated, most colleges will provide estimated financial aid packages to Early Decision students. To receive an estimated financial aid package when applying for Early Decision at NYU, fill out the NYU Early Decision Financial Aid Application that is included in our application packet or download the application from our application resources page on our web site. All our Early Decision students are also automatically considered for merit awards, whether or not they file an application for financial aid, but you will not be considered for need-based aid later on if you do not file the Early Decision Financial Aid Application. Also, all Early Decision students must file the 2008-2009 FAFSA in January, 2008, to confirm their estimated awards.