One of the most difficult moments of the college application process is when it comes time for an applicant to bet on themselves. Many seniors have no clue what their future holds and will do anything to increase their chances of going to their dream school. While some may argue that giving yourself a choice is most important for prospective students, as the numbers show, the benefits of applying Early Decision make sacrificing one’s ability to choose worthwhile.
Based on discussions with our peers, a significant number of Westfield seniors revealed that they intend on applying ED, a binding application where if you are accepted, you are legally obligated to go to that school. By applying ED, one can heavily boost their odds at admission, especially WHS students.
According to Scoir data taken from WHS students since 2020, ED is the key to having your chances of acceptance skyrocket.
At Boston College, acceptance rates increase from 7 to 21 percent for WHS students who apply ED. Cornell, a prestigious Ivy League, also has acceptances triple for students in the ED applicant pool, increasing from a general 9 percent to 30 percent. The biggest increase of all is seen in Illinois, as Northwestern University’s admission rates for WHS students increased over sixfold for students who applied ED, soaring from 7 to 45 percent.
Many people worry about applying ED because of the fact that schools are much less willing to give you money if they are already assured you are attending. This is typically a deciding factor for people who decide not to apply early, even if it might be their best shot at getting into a school.
However, that fear is unfounded, as current trends show a shift away from merit in favor of need-based aid, where students receive scholarships based on their financial situations as opposed to achievement. This fact means that there is no real financial risk to applying ED.
If you don’t have a school that, in your mind, is superior to the rest on your list, ED may not be the right decision for you.
However, for the many students that do have that one dream school, there is no reason to not let the odds work in your favor. Numbers don’t lie: apply Early Decision.