It may only be October, but some SCH students are already running out of time to make critical decisions on where they will attend college. Early Decisions for a variety of top schools are due in the coming weeks, and many SCH students are currently going through the stressful process of applying to schools via early decision applications .
When applying early decision to a school, students are locking themselves into a binding agreement that forces them to attend the school if accepted. This agreement limits the students’ options, and forces them to attend the university or college that they applied to with early decision regardless of financial aid, scholarship money, or future acceptance to other schools. These schools also generally require their early decision applications at some point in November, months before they require regular admissions. Students often choose to apply early decision because it can boost their chances of being admitted, but there are also a variety of other factors that can play into this important decision.
One student who will be taking advantage of the advantages associated with early decision applications is senior Sam Tonkon. Sam plans on applying early decision to Bucknell University, a school that he has become incredibly interested in during his process. When asked about the advantages of applying early decision, Sam noted, “I’m excited to apply early decision, you have a better chance for some type of merit scholarships, and there’s just, it’s easier to get in because less people have applied.”
Sam also noted that because students who apply early decision are given their results much earlier than regular applicants, it would help remove some of the stresses associated with college searches towards the end of the year. “I think it’s going to help me not be stressed over applications while I’m in class, just have focus on that. And also, just be a little bit less stressed during the days.”
Another senior, Anderson Swanger, does not plan on applying to any schools through an early decision application. This is partly due to the fact that Anderson is looking to be recruited to play soccer in college, and many of the schools he is considering do the majority of their recruitment long after early decisions are due. This results in applying early decision not being a good option for Anderson. He stated, “For me, it doesn’t make any sense right now to enter a binding agreement, especially for college, because I am so unsure.”
Specific programs and scholarships are an additional factor that could drive an SCH student to apply early decision. For Brendan Flatow, who is the President, founder, and CEO of GameTime Sports, applying early decision to Syracuse University can provide advantages to his unique goals of continuing his journey in sports broadcasting. This is largely because of the school’s impressive reputation in journalism, and prestigious Newhouse School of Publications. During our interview, Brendan stated, “Syracuse is the number one broadcasting college in the world, and the Newhouse School only accepts three hundred students per year, so early decision gives me a better chance of getting in.”
He also noted that being accepted early would allow him to focus less on his college search, and more on broadcasting games for the SCH community. “Right now, I’m really busy with GameTime Sports and then also college applications. You’re just able to check one of those things off the bucket list and not have to worry about it”, said Brendan.
Over the next few weeks, seniors who plan on applying to schools using early decision will be finalizing and submitting their applications. Many of them may hear back as soon as December, and if accepted, will have completed the college application process by the time the second half of their senior year begins.