Should I apply early decisions?

Applying Early Decision I is an important question to ask because it’s a big decision to make. If you get in, you're going. There’s no opting out of it. Applying this way gives colleges a strong sense of how much you like the college which gives you preference. You can’t apply Early Decision to another school and you can’t apply Single Choice Early Action anywhere else. Your chance of merit-based aid may be reduced with Early Decision. Your parents, your school counselor, and you all have to sign an agreement before applying. Make sure that this is your dream college and that you’re not applying only because you think it will improve your chances of getting in. It’s also important to consider whether or not your family can afford to pay full tuition since the merit-based aid may be reduced. If your application could be stronger after the Early Decision deadline, you should consider holding off because a stronger application is better than an early application.