Early Deadline

 As you probably know , tomorrowis the deadline for EA and ED applications. Ideally these should  have been submitted by now
  At many schools,The earlier you submit  the better the odds are.

Rresaders of this blog know I strongly favor the Early Action  admission option. I think that  almost everone benefits by applying EA to a good university like the University of  Michigan.  Not only  is your common app complete but you have had to give serious thought to your recommendatuions and   others essays. Michigan is a great university for almost any major ranging from fine artsd to  engineering. Illinois, Case Western, Wisconsin are  are other gret EA options.
 If you have a dream university in mind then do apply ED.

Early Decision

 The Earky Decision(ED) application cycle is  very attractive to  many students.   One applies by   November 01 and  receives a response by mid  December, Acceptances are  almosrt three times higher than the Regular Decision cycle.   The key point of Early Decision is that it is binding. If accepted you are obliged to enroll.   The only exceptions to the ED rule is when  one can prove that  it is  financially unviable.

  If you have a clear first choice "dream  school" in mind and  are able to afford it without depending on   large  amounts financial aid, it is an excellent option.

  The universities I consider to be  worth applying  for ED are 

• Colombia
• Northwestern
• Amherst
• Williams
• Duke
• Carnegie Mellon
• Pomona
• Rice
• Harvey  Mudd
• Vanderbilt
• Johns Hopkins
• Cornell

All of the above are comited to meeting the financial needs of ED students and will work together to resolve  any issues

 Ther are only 20 days until the standard ED deadline of  Nov 01 so if you have a dream university of there  its time to  lock it in

Early Action

 Early Action(EA) is an excellent  appplication option. You apply by  Nov 01  ( Only 28 days left)

 and hear of  your decision by mid december.  EA is non commital,   if accepted   one has until May to decide.  If rejected  you can reapply on the January deadline or  rework your college list accordingly. Not all universities  use EA applications but ther are several excellent options.

 EA is done properly is a win-win for the student. you have secured admission by  mid december and can now focus on just 2 or 3 more application for the Jan 01 deadline.  If rejected  you can re-ealuate your list and redo your essay.

  Three of the best STEM universities  have an EA cycle. If you are interested in studying  engineering or a STEM program please condsider these three options.

• Caltech
• MIT
• Georgia Tech

 Someof the best large public universities also have  EA admissions. 

•  University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• University of  North Carolina - Chapel  Hill
• University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
• University of  Georgia - Athens

Almost all students will find one or more relevant programs at one of thes schools and  I strongly recommend applying EA to one or two of these.

 Other   well known universities offering EA applications are

•  Case Western Reserve University
•  Universaity of Chicago
• Clark University
•  Many smaller liberal arts schools also offer EA deadlines

• Agnes Scott College
• College of Wooster
• Goucher College
• Hampshire college
•  Birmingham Southern

Deadlines are usually  Nov 01 but some have Ot 15 or even Dec 01 deadlines.

 Dpo your research on the university website or look for my university specific post