To ED or Not to ED: That Is the Question

If you’re not familiar with the college admissions process, ED applications are binding, meaning if the school accepts you, you are committed to attend, barring extenuating financial circumstances. While most schools release EDs sometime in December, some responses come out in late November or in the first few months of the new year. As many Hopkins seniors are starting to hear back from their ED schools, one question seems to stick out in my mind: What is the big deal with applying ED anyway?

If you’ve taken time to chat with a senior, you’ve probably heard some the buzz of excitement and nerves from students who have applied ED. While many Hopkins seniors are already finding out where we will (or won’t) be going to college, however, seniors at other schools in Connecticut and around the country may just be submitting their first applications. While there are definitely some benefits to applying ED – such as finding out before the regular deadlines, and potentially increasing your chances of being accepted to a “reach” school – there are certainly some downsides.

First of all, in order to submit a binding application in the first semester of your senior year, you have to be pretty certain that a school is right for you. Many students just don’t have one school that stands out to them so much that they're willing to basically sign a part of their life away when submitting their application. Though it can be extremely daunting, especially with the pressure of hearing about so many of your peers who are applying ED, students who did not apply ED should know that they are not alone. While it feels like a majority of the Hopkins seniors apply early decision, in a much broader scope, ED applications are only a small fraction of the applications that colleges receive.

A less scary option for early acceptance also exists: early action applications. Similar to applying ED, when applying early action, you hear much quicker than regular decision applications. There is one major difference, though: EA applications are not binding. While not all schools offer students the opportunity to apply EA, it’s a great option when it is offered by schools on your list. Applying early action gives you the chance to hear back sooner than regular decision applications without committing to attend; this way, you can weigh all your options once you receive your acceptance letters.

More colleges and universities should offer early action applications, since many seniors are afraid to commit to a school early on in their college process. Applying ED is a huge risk that not all students are prepared to take. Hopkins provides ample resources to all students, not just seniors, in preparation for the college application process. Our college counseling is robust and supportive, answering any questions that students or parents may have on a much more personal and individualized level. Not all students are this lucky, as many public schools lack the funding to provide each student with a dedicated counselor. Many students don’t even know ED applications exist. Even if they do, students often lack sufficient information, or the advanced timing, to make that kind of commitment to a school. Nevertheless, early action seems like a path that is much more accessible to students, whatever type of school they attend, allowing teenagers the time and flexibility to make the right choice for them.

Regardless of where a student stands on the matter of ED vs. early action, the college admissions process can be scary and overwhelming. Seniors, don’t let the Hopkins culture of applying early get you down if you decided to wait for early action or regular admissions. And future seniors, remember that you have more options than you might think. Moreover, whatever path you choose, it will all work out in the end. Between ED, early action, and the regular admissions cycle, you are certain to find a school that works for you!