At least in the Washington D.C. area, colleges are seeing a surge in early acceptance applications. From the Washington Post:
Selective colleges in the D.C. region are reporting double-digit increases in early decision applications, signaling that the schools and their prospective freshmen are eager to commit now and forgo the uncertainties of the spring admission cycle.
Early decision is a tool used by competitive colleges to fill part of their freshman class months ahead of schedule. Colleges get firm commitments. Students get peace of mind and, usually, a more favorable acceptance rate, if they are willing to drop their applications to other schools after accepting an early offer of admission. Acceptance rates are generally higher for early decision applicants because they are more appealing to colleges, among other factors, officials said.
The Post broke down the numbers according to various colleges. They are almost off the charts. For George Washington University, for example, the school has seen a 70 percent increase in applications for early decision.
The reasons for the spike in admission were intriguing. One, is the obvious, that it is much harder to gain acceptance into college today with all the competition. But another reason the article listed is Barack Obama’s election and students wanting to study near the White House. Interesting.
Did your children apply for early decision? Why?
Sooo glad we are past this..
I feel for kids applying to college and their parents. For kids who definitely know early which college they have their heart set on…great. But for us it wasn’t that easy. My dd was open to lots of different colleges and she changed her mind through her senior year. I guess I see this as one more added stress to the mix…too bad, really.