Title
Early Decision (ED) has become an increasingly popular strategy for students applying to selective colleges. It shows commitment, can improve admissions odds, and sometimes gives applicants an edge—but it comes with serious financial considerations.
What Is Early Decision?
ED is a binding admissions agreement. If accepted, the student must attend and withdraw applications from all other schools. This is different from Early Action, which is non-binding.
Pros of Applying Early Decision:
-
Increased chance of admission at some schools
-
Less stress later in senior year
-
Strong fit students stand out in smaller applicant pools
The Financial Trade-Off:
-
You won’t be able to compare financial aid packages from multiple schools
-
ED schools don’t always offer their best aid upfront
-
If aid is insufficient, families may feel locked into unaffordable offers
When Early Decision Makes Sense:
-
Your student has a clear top-choice school AND
-
You’ve run the net price calculator AND
-
You’re confident the financial aid will be manageable even without comparisons
Contact Us Today:
Thinking about Early Decision? Let us help you weigh the financial pros and cons.
📞 Call us at 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule a free consultation: Book with Mike
Or visit our Contact Page: https://diversifiedcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/
