When it comes to applying to colleges, picking the right application plan is an important part of the process. Most schools offer several plans to choose from, the most common of which are: Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Regular Decision (RD). There are pros and cons to each, and a lot of factors that might influence how you choose the right plan for each school you’re considering. 

For now, let’s talk about the one that often requires a little extra explanation: Early Decision. To help you figure out if this unique application plan is right for you, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we hear from prospective college students who are considering ED as an option. 

What is Early Decision?

Early Decision is a binding application plan. If admitted, you’ll need to withdraw applications to all other schools and commit to your ED school. Most often, this commitment starts with submitting a non-refundable enrollment deposit that’ll secure your spot in the incoming class.

When should I apply Early Decision?

Early Decision is a great option for students who are 100% sure that school is their best fit. And as you weigh your college options, remember that the concept of ‘fit’ is multi-dimensional. You’ll want to be sure your ED school fits your academic and career aspirations, your social priorities, and your current financial situation. There are, of course, lots of other factors to consider when choosing an application plan—but these are some important ones to figure out before going ED. 

What are the benefits of applying Early Decision?

After all this, you might be wondering why you’d choose to apply Early Decision over the other, non-binding application plans—i.e. what’s in it for you?? It’s a great question, and the answer is likely different for each college you’re considering. But more often than not, you’ll find that ED candidates get certain benefits that other ‘non-ED’ candidates don’t. For example, students who apply (and are admitted!) under an Early Decision plan at Randolph-Macon get the following:

—Better admission odds. Our acceptance rate for Early Decision applicants is significantly higher than Early Action or Regular Decision.

—Our best aid award. Early Decision candidates receive our strongest financial aid offers.

—First-pick housing. Housing choices for new students are based on order of deposit; students who deposit earlier are more likely to receive a housing assignment in their preferred building.

—Your pre-orientation preference. Early Decision candidates will be the first invited to our summer Pre-Orientation events. This means you’ll have the chance to snag a spot for your first-choice date, as long as you don’t wait to register!

All this, plus the peace of mind that comes with securing an early college decision. Knowing sooner gives you a little more time to focus on the fun parts of senior year—you can leave the waiting and worrying up to someone else! If you’re thinking about Randolph-Macon, but not sure which application plan to choose, reach out to us at admissions@rmc.edu. We’ll get you connected to your admissions counselor, who’d love to help you determine your best path forward.