Academics, location, programs. WHS seniors are hitting submit on their early action applications and sharing the reasons why they hope to attend the universities they choose.
For the college application cycle, outside of regular decision, students can apply early decision, early action and restrictive early action depending on the specific school and its policies. ED is a binding agreement where students commit to attending the school if accepted. In contrast, EA allows students to apply earlier in the cycle to multiple schools without a binding commitment, often improving admission chances compared to regular admission acceptance rates as applications are reviewed sooner. Lastly, REA is a nonbinding option where students can only apply to one private school, but they may still apply EA to public universities.
Many WHS seniors are applying EA to what U.S. News deems competitive, top-80 schools. Based on a poll conducted by Hi’s Eye, these are the most popular schools to EA to among the Class of 2025:
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers in New Brunswick, New Jersey is the top choice for EA for WHS seniors. Its proximity, diverse academic programs and Big Ten sports make it the ideal place for many New Jersey students. Senior Alina Summer-Brason said, “I applied to [Rutgers] because I am interested in Rutgers’ 0 to 6 Pharmacy Program.” Rutgers has 19 schools and colleges on its New Brunswick campus alone, offering pathways for a wide range of academic interests.
University of Maryland
The second most popular school to EA to is Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Known for its top tier engineering and business programs, Maryland provides an ideal environment for ambitious students. Senior Sara Molen said, “I applied because it has good academic programs and a great alumni system.” Maryland is also not too far from home, a quick three hour drive from New Jersey, and with its balance of rigorous academics and strong athletics, the school’s appeal is clear. However, the application process isn’t easy. Molen added, “There were five short essays with difficult prompts that made it very stressful.”
Pennsylvania State University and University of Delaware
These schools are tied for the third most common to EA to: Penn State in Centre County, Pennsylvania and the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. Penn State is known for its school spirit and vibrant social scene that seems unrivaled when compared to other universities. Senior Gisella Rittenhouse said, “I love the school spirit it has. It seems like such a happy, fun community.” Meanwhile, Delaware has gained popularity for its strong STEM programs, close proximity to major cities like Washington D.C. and Philadelphia and a wide array of majors.
It is clear that WHS seniors prioritize academics, community and school spirit as essential factors when determining where to apply EA in hopes of spending the next four years.