application strategy

Early decision (ED)

Early decision (ED) is a college admission plan in which students apply earlier in the year than usual and receive their results early as well. 

Applying early decision (ED) can increase your chances of acceptance at colleges and universities. This is because colleges and universities generally admit a higher percentage of their incoming class through ED than they do through regular decision. 

However, it's important to note that applying ED doesn't guarantee acceptance, and it's not always the best choice for every student. In order to apply ED, you generally need to have a strong academic record and a clear preference for a particular college or university. You also need to be comfortable committing to attending that particular institution if you are admitted. 

Additionally, ED programs can be binding, which means that if you are admitted, you are required to withdraw your applications from all other institutions and enroll at that particular college or university. This can limit your ability to compare financial aid packages and make an informed decision about where to enroll.

So, while ED can increase your chances of acceptance at some colleges and universities, it's important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not to apply early.

For colleges and universities, ED programs can be beneficial in a number of ways. By admitting a larger percentage of students through ED, they can increase their yield percentage, which is the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. A higher yield percentage can improve a college's ranking and reputation, as well as help to ensure that they have a full and diverse incoming class. 

By admitting a significant portion of their incoming class through ED, they can have a better sense of what their incoming student pool will look like before the regular admission process begins. This can help them to better plan for things like housing, academic advising, and extracurricular activities. 

Additionally, ED programs can help colleges and universities to control their selectivity and ensure that they are admitting a strong and diverse incoming class. By admitting a portion of their class through ED, they can select students who they believe are particularly strong fits for their institution, and who are likely to enroll if admitted. 

Generally speaking, colleges and universities will prioritize their merit-based aid for early action (EA) and regular decision (RD) applicants rather than early decision (ED) applicants because ED applicants are typically bound to enroll if accepted.

However, it is important to note that colleges and universities have different financial aid policies, and some may still provide merit-based aid to ED applicants if they meet the qualifications. Additionally, ED applicants may still be eligible for other types of financial aid, such as need-based aid or scholarships.

Applying ED may limit your ability to showcase your academic growth in senior year or improvement in test scores, which could potentially hurt your chances of admission if you had a tough junior year. Applying regular decision (RD) allows you to send in your senior year grades or newer test scores, which may demonstrate academic growth and potentially improve your chances of admission. Colleges and universities typically understand that students' academic performance can fluctuate, and they may take into account an upward trend in grades or an improvement in test scores when reviewing applications. It is important to note, however, that senior year grades and test scores may not always be available at the time of application submission, depending on the application deadline and when your school reports them. Additionally, some highly selective colleges may have very early RD deadlines, which may not allow you to showcase any significant academic improvement in senior year.

Most colleges that participate in early admission request applications by October 15 or November 1 and return results by December 15.

If you decide to apply to one ED school, you should still apply to as many non-restrictive EA programs as possible.

Early decision 2 (ED2)

Some colleges and universities offer a second round of early decision (ED) called ED2. ED2 programs typically have later application deadlines than regular ED programs, and they often require students to commit to attending that particular college or university if they are admitted.

ED2 programs can be beneficial for both students and colleges. For students, ED2 can provide a second chance to apply early and potentially increase their chances of acceptance. For colleges, ED2 can help to fill any remaining spots in their incoming class and increase their yield percentage.

However, it's important to note that ED2 programs are not offered by all colleges and universities, and they may have different requirements and deadlines than regular ED programs. Additionally, applying ED2 still requires a commitment to attend the college or university if admitted, so students should only apply ED2 if they are sure that the institution is their top choice.

ED2 applicant pool is smaller compared to ED1 and RD. So if you want to pivot fast to another school that you really like (after ED1 deferral or rejection), grab this opportunity fast. 

If you have already submitted a regular decision application and then later get rejected or deferred from your ED1 school, you can always contact the admission officer of the RD school and switch your application to ED2 before the ED2 deadline. This will increase your chances of getting accepted. However, you can only do ED2 to one school.

Early action (EA) 

Early action (EA) programs allow students to submit their applications early, typically in the fall (by mid-October or early November of their senior year of high school instead of January 1) of their senior year of high school. Unlike early decision (ED) programs, EA programs are non-binding, which means that students who are accepted through EA are not required to commit to attending that particular college or university.

EA programs can be beneficial for both students and colleges. For students, EA allows them to receive a decision earlier (early January instead of mid-March or May) in the admissions process, which can reduce stress and uncertainty. Additionally, because EA is non-binding, students can apply to multiple EA schools and compare financial aid packages before making a decision about where to enroll.

For colleges, EA programs can help to increase the number of applications they receive and attract strong candidates who may be more likely to enroll if accepted. Additionally, because EA is non-binding, colleges can admit a larger percentage (due to much larger volume of EA applications vs ED) of their incoming class through EA than they can through ED, which can help to ensure that they have a diverse and talented group of students.

Overall, EA programs can be a good option for students who are interested in applying early and want to receive a decision earlier in the admissions process, but who are not yet ready to commit to attending a particular college or university.

Early action (EA) acceptance rates are often higher than regular admission acceptance rates but lower than early decision (ED) acceptance rates.

Because ED is binding, colleges and universities can be more confident that students who are admitted through ED will enroll, which allows them to admit a higher percentage of their incoming class through ED. This means that ED acceptance rates are often higher than EA acceptance rates.

Early Action decisions are released after the deadline for ED2 and RD. So unless you are accepted by ED1, it's important to keep working on ED2 or RD applications and turn them in before the deadline.

Restrictive early action (REA)

Restrictive early action (REA), also known as single-choice early action, is a type of early application program that is offered by some colleges and universities.

Like regular early action (EA), REA allows students to apply early and receive a decision earlier in the admissions process. However, REA is typically more restrictive than regular EA in that it often prohibits students from applying to other private colleges or universities during the early application period. Students are still allowed to apply to public institutions and other types of schools during the early application period.

The main advantage of REA is that it allows students to apply early and receive a decision earlier in the admissions process, without committing to attending a particular college or university. This can be particularly beneficial for students who want to apply early but who are not yet ready to commit to attending a particular institution.

However, because REA is more restrictive than regular EA, it may not be the best choice for every student. Additionally, the requirements and restrictions of REA programs can vary widely depending on the college or university, so it's important for students to carefully research and understand the requirements before deciding whether or not to apply.

Rolling admissions

Rolling admissions is a type of admissions process in which colleges and universities accept applications and make admissions decisions on a continuous basis over a period of several months, rather than waiting until a specific application deadline to review all applications at once.

Some colleges and universities offer rolling admissions for their early application period, which means that students can apply early and receive a decision relatively quickly, often within a few weeks to a few months of submitting their application. This can be beneficial for students who want to receive a decision early in the admissions process and who may not want to wait until the regular decision deadline to hear back from colleges.

With rolling admissions, colleges and universities review applications and make admissions decisions on a first-come, first-served basis. As spots in the incoming class fill up, the number of available spots decreases, which can make it more competitive for later applicants to be accepted. For this reason, it's often recommended that students submit their rolling admissions application as early as possible. This can increase their chances of being accepted, as there are typically more spots available earlier in the admissions cycle. Additionally, submitting an application early can demonstrate interest and enthusiasm in the college or university, which can be a positive factor in the admissions decision.

However, it's important to note that rolling admissions does not necessarily mean that a college or university has lower admissions standards. Submitting an application early does not guarantee acceptance, and students should still take the time to prepare a strong application that showcases their strengths and accomplishments. It's also important to carefully research and understand the admissions requirements and deadlines for each college or university, as these can vary widely depending on the institution.

Flexible arrangement

Some colleges offer different start dates (like Spring start) or an alternate campus (Northeastern NUIn or NUVBound). If you are interested in any of these, you can check those boxes on the application. For example, Northeastern University offers NUin and NUVBound programs where students spend their first semester abroad or at a regional campus before starting their studies at the main campus in Boston. Accepting this flexiblity might improve your acceptance chances.

If you have a high SAT score (1500 or above) or ACT score (34 and above), always report. Anything lower, check average SAT scores for your college and if your scores lie in the upper 50% (average or above) then report. If you fall below 25% percentile, it's better to go test optional, if your college has that choice. If you scores fall in 25-50% range, go case by case basis.

Even if a college or university does not require standardized test scores, submitting strong scores can still be beneficial for your application. High scores can demonstrate academic strength.

Some colleges super score. "Super scoring" is a practice used by some colleges and universities in which they take the highest section scores from multiple test dates and combine them into a new, higher composite score. For example ...

If you have taken SAT twice:

First Attempt: Math Section: 700 EBRW: 680

Second Attempt: Math Section: 720 EBRW: 650

Your super score is best of both 720 + 680 = 1400

If college super scores, make sure you use highest of each section while reporting on Common App.

Many colleges allow self-reporting of scores, so you will not have to send the official scores until you decide to enroll. Some public universities need official scores to be sent directly from the testing agency. 

When you register for SAT/ACT or when you take those tests, you will get an option to send free scores to 4 colleges. Do not use this option as you do not know how much you will score. Avoid any surprises with automatic score reports. Sending official scores from testing agencies cost $12 to $16 per college.

You can self-report selective AP scores, ones that are 4 or 5, to boost your admission chances. Colleges do not require AP scores. You can send official scores to colleges you are attending to get credits.

Some colleges may use the GPA provided by the student as-is, while others may recalculate the GPA based on their own criteria and weighting system. This can include factors such as the rigor of the student's high school curriculum, the grades earned in specific courses, and the level of difficulty of those courses (such as AP, IB, or honors courses).

Additionally, some colleges may recalculate GPAs based on a standardized scale, such as a 4.0 scale, while others may use a different scale or weighting system. It's important for students to understand how each college or university calculates GPAs and to ensure that they provide accurate and complete information on their application. For e.g., University of California has their own system to recalculate GPA and it is called UC GPA. 

Even if you do not know how the college is going to recalculate your GPA, you still need to know where you approximately stand with respect to all students (may not be exact, just ballpark). Some high schools choose not to rank their students based on GPA or class rank, and instead provide colleges with a range of percentiles for GPA ranges. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to reduce the pressure on students to compete for the top spots in their class or to recognize the achievements of students who excel in areas beyond academics. When colleges receive applications from students who attend high schools that do not rank their students, they may use other factors to evaluate the student's academic performance and potential for success in college. This can include looking at the rigor of the student's course load, the grades earned in specific courses, and the overall trend of the student's grades over time.

It's important for students to provide as much information as possible about their academic performance on their college applications, including detailed information about the courses they have taken, the grades they have earned, and any awards or honors they have received. Additionally, students can provide context about their academic performance by writing a strong personal statement or essay that explains their academic goals, challenges they have faced, and accomplishments they have achieved.

All grades from 9th, 10th, 11th matter. Some colleges like University of California, Carnegie Mellon do not consider freshman grades, but they will still look at the trend. 

Colleges and universities often review a student's senior year course load and grades as part of the admissions process. Additionally, some colleges may require or request mid-year grade reports from students as part of the admissions process. It's important for students to maintain strong grades and rigorous coursework throughout their senior year, as this can demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and preparation for college-level work. Students should also strive to take challenging courses that align with their academic interests and goals, rather than simply choosing the easiest courses available.

Make sure you are taking all 5 core classes. If you are skipping one of the core courses, replace it with an equally rigorous course. Make sure the rigor does not go down from Junior year. Take as many AP/honors/IB that you can handle. You can take elective courses as per your liking but do not replace all your core classes with electives. Take courses that align with your major.

By taking a well-rounded and challenging course load that includes all of the core academic subjects, students can demonstrate to colleges that they are prepared for college-level work and have the academic skills and knowledge needed to succeed in higher education. 

The major listed by the student playa a significant role in the evaluation of their transcript and test scores during the college application process. Admissions officers will consider the rigor of the student's coursework and their performance in classes relevant to their intended major. For example, a student applying to an engineering or computer science program may be evaluated differently than a student applying to an English or political science program.

In addition, the popularity of a major can also play a role in the admissions process. Some majors may be more competitive than others, with a larger pool of highly qualified applicants vying for a limited number of spots. This can make it more difficult for students to be admitted to certain programs, even if they have strong academic credentials.

It's important for students to carefully consider their intended major when applying to colleges and to research the admissions criteria for each program. Students should strive to take challenging courses and perform well in classes relevant to their intended major, and should also consider applying to a range of schools with different levels of competitiveness for their desired program.

Some colleges offer interview opportunities for prospective students during the summer before their senior year, and it can be a good idea to schedule these interviews early on to show your interest in the school. Additionally, some colleges offer on-site interviews for students who visit the campus, and many schools now offer online interviews as well.

It's important to research each college's interview policies and to prepare accordingly. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your strengths and interests during the interview. It's also important to dress appropriately and arrive on time, whether the interview is in person or online.

Many colleges also offer interview opportunities with alumni after students submit their application. These interviews can be a valuable way to learn more about the school and to demonstrate your interest in the program. It's important to take advantage of these opportunities and to prepare for them as you would for any other interview.

If your school has signed up for Naviance, you will get a user account in your freshman year. It's a valuable tool for students during the college search and application process. It allows students to track their activities and volunteering hours, as well as research colleges and compare themselves to other students from their high school who have been admitted to those colleges in previous years.

At the end of Junior year, add colleges to your account in “colleges I am thinking about'' tab. When you select a school, go to the admissions tab and check out scattergram. 

Naviance provides scattergrams that show where a student's GPA and SAT scores stand compared to other students from their high school who were admitted to a particular college in the past. This can help students get a sense of their chances of being admitted to that college, and whether it's a reach, match, or safety school for them. The scattergrams also provide historical data on the number of students who applied and were admitted, as well as the average GPA and SAT scores of those admitted. All of this information can be helpful in determining whether to apply to a particular college and how to frame one's application.

In senior year, students should add the colleges they plan to apply to in the "Colleges I'm Applying To" list in Naviance. If a student is using the Common Application to apply to colleges, they can link their Common App account to their Naviance account. This will allow their application materials, such as transcripts and recommendations, to be sent directly to the colleges they are applying to through the Common App. The Naviance account can also help students keep track of their application deadlines and track the status of their applications.