By Olivia Ritter ’17

In the tumultuous time of the college application process, high school seniors struggle to find the school for them. If they’ve already found it, the stress doesn’t stop. When you’ve found the place you want to spend your first four years as an adult, the only thing you can think is: What if I don’t get in?
Obviously, there’s no possible way of knowing your chances. But there is one way of getting some confidence: applying early decision.
During the very first steps of the application process, I found my top school and was hooked. It was labeled as a reach, and I went on to make the greatest decision of my life: choosing early decision.
The Class of 2017 has embraced the early decision method this year. Over 20 students applied to their top schools early decision, including those who have committed for sports.
“I have no regrets,” senior Katie DeBrabanter said. “I only applied to two other schools.” DeBrabanter committed to Tufts University under the process of early decision.
Going ED can give students a significantly better shot at getting into the college of their dreams. According to InLikeMe.com, a college admissions resource hub, the difference between regular decision versus early decision admissions ranges from a 10 percent increase to 47 percent.
Early decision offers students the opportunity to get their name into their dream school first. As an ED applicant, you are among the first applications to make an impression. Before they know anything about you, they know how high your interest goes; applying ED does that for you.
“With an ED application, the student is solidly demonstrating interest in the school,” guidance counselor Ms. Longo said. “An ED contract is a binding, legal document that commits the applicant to the college with an acceptance. This gesture speaks louder than words.”
Nothing means more to a school than commitment. In the beginning, this level of commitment seemed intimidating to students.
“I wish I applied early decision,” senior Matt Stout said. “Not only would I have a better chance, I would have the security of being in and not worrying about my other applications.”
Besides the high-interest, ED saves students the long-term stress of hearing back from every single college they applied to. As soon as you’re committed, you have more time to find a roommate, send in a deposit and prepare for college overall.
Understandably, there is a fear about applying ED. While it gives students higher chances of admission and immediate de-stress from the application process, it is financially restricting. However, the only way to get out of the contract is if the family decides that the financial aid package is too little, according to the 2007 article “You’re in, Can you back out?” from The New York Times.
Firsthand, I can say that ED is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to the college application process. The moment I stepped onto the Boston University campus, I knew that’s where I belonged. That being the case, there seemed to be no other option than to apply early decision for Fall 2017.
Because of the option to apply ED, I’m enrolled into my dream school and have absolutely no regrets. I couldn’t have made a better decision.
There are over 450 universities and colleges with an early decision option, according to The College Board. If one of them is your dream school, the best advice is to go for it.