Important Information on Early Admission Policies

Dear Parent, 

It is important that you understand the differences in early admissions policies prior to your student submitting any college applications.  Following are several types of policies.  Please read carefully! 

Early Action

The student can apply to a college by an early deadline (set by a particular college) to guarantee his admission, without obligating himself to attend that particular college.  The student will then usually file for financial aid at the college under the same deadlines as a regular student applicant.  Applying early action will not be detrimental in any way. 

Early Decision

The student can apply to a college by an early deadline to guarantee his admission, but is obligated to attend that particular college under a binding contract.  Early decision applicants file for financial aid early and are offered a financial aid award at an early date.  Once the student is committed to the college, he may lose some of his financial aid appeal.  I strongly recommend that your student does not apply early decision since this is a binding contract. 

Early Notification

The college notifies the student of his admission status as the admission office makes its admission decision.  The student will apply for financial aid in the same manner as would a regular financial aid applicant.  Beware; by accepting the college’s offer of admission, the student may be limiting his appeal options. 

Early Read

The college will compute the student’s EFC early and estimate the student’s financial aid award.  Since this computation usually takes place early in the fall of the year, the student must submit estimated financial information to the college.  I strongly recommend that your student does not apply early read.  Since we can compute your estimated EFC, it is of no benefit to allow the college to have preview of your financial information.  If you should implement some financial strategies to lower your  EFC, the college may question these strategies if they have already seen your financial information.  

If you have any questions, please call me before your student submits any college applications! 

Until next month…Best Wishes

Randy Stoltz, President