Anonymous
Post 09/05/2013 13:59     Subject: Applying ED just to get it over with
No, you're encouraging him to know what he wants and to go for it rather than to be distracted by what other people are doing. Good message.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2013 13:19     Subject: Applying ED just to get it over with
If you encourage him to apply early, you are teaching him not to aim for the top. Bad message.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2013 13:15     Subject: Applying ED just to get it over with
More generally, there are some colleges where early decision really helps:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/right-school/timeline/articles/2009/09/30/colleges-where-applying-early-decision-helps
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2013 22:33     Subject: Applying ED just to get it over with
Again, we don't qualify for FA. Its not an issue.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2013 19:29     Subject: Re:Applying ED just to get it over with
Anonymous wrote:I went to an SLAC, and from what I heard from both students who were in this situation and people who worked in the admissions office, they tended to be more generous with financial aid and spent longer reviewing the financial aid application with ED students. Since the school had a limited endowment, they would meet the full financial need of students who they were sure were going to come before considering regular decision applicants. They wanted to draw students who really really wanted to be there.

I know this is unorthodox from what people say (if finances is an issue, apply regular decision), but I just wanted to throw that out there. I know several people who applied ED at my school who were pleasantly surprised by the financial aid they did receive.


This might well be true at many schools. Or maybe at just a few schools. One of the other issues with ED is that you wouldn't be able to compare FA offers from other schools.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2013 16:22     Subject: Re:Applying ED just to get it over with
I fell in love with a SLAC that I had visited. Applied early decision and got in, then had a great 4 years there. Financial aid wasn't the biggest factor for us, though I did get some. (Not sure more merit aid was much of a possibility.) For me, abbreviating the application process was a relief.


This was my exact situation. I never regretted my decision at all. The school I applied to was a slight reach--not an out of the question reach, but my counselor wasn't convinced I would get it. It was a perfect fit for me.