MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT: COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PATHS
By: Belinda M. Gonzalez-Leon, Ed.D., MBA
Educational Consultant
When you read this, your student may have already received a college acceptance (or denial) if they applied via Early Action. Other students may not learn their fate until April! Universities have different deadlines based on how the student intends to apply. This means there is a deadline for Early Action, Early Action Florida, Early Decision, Rolling Admissions, and Direct Admissions. Which deadline do you go by? It depends on the student, but know that there are advantages and disadvantages to each way of applying.
Early Action is applying early to be considered early. It is a way for the student to show how prepared and eager they are to attend that school. If the college is their number one choice, the student should submit by the deadline which could be in October. They may have an answer before the December holidays. Students accepted via Early Action are under no obligation to accept. Sometimes, Early Action deadlines are also used for certain scholarships. Early Action increases the student’s possibility of being accepted. However, it means that students must complete their applications before the end of October!
Several schools, including Florida State University, University of Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic University, have an Early Action deadline exclusively for Floridians. High School Seniors in Florida were to submit applications by October 15th to have special priority consideration. The deadline was extended due to hurricanes, but these schools should continue having an early deadline for Florida students.
Early Decision is similar to Eary Action and around the same date, except that it is binding. Early decision has specific rules and restrictions. If accepted to a school through Early Decision, the student is obligated to attend the school. Early Decision may prohibit applying Early Decision to other schools and other college applications must be rescinded if accepted. It is possible to get out of this very restrictive acceptance if the financial aid is not enough for the family to afford the school. An advantage of Early Decision is that the student is part of a small pool of students and a college decision is rendered before the December holidays. The recommendation is to apply Early Decision if the school is the student’s #1 choice and they feel confident in having the requirements needed to get in.
Although many public universities use Rolling Admissions, several are now eliminating it. Rolling Admissions has specific deadlines, as soon as the student submits – if the application is complete, the school will immediately review it, make a decision, and inform the student. This could be months or days before the deadline. Some examples of rolling admissions schools in Florida include Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Barry University, Valencia College, and Miami Dade College. Previously, the University of Central Florida and Florida International University were also rolling admissions, however, they eliminated the practice due to the number of applications being submitted.
Direct Admissions has been around for years but recently has taken on new fervor. Through the Common App, students will be notified that a college is offering them a free application, scholarship, or strong recommendation to apply to their school. The request comes because the student is found to be a good match because of a high test score or GPA. Some of these schools are very good – others, not so much. If your student is offered direct admissions, closely analyze the school’s tuition, grants, and scholarships, as well as the majors offered. Direct admissions is an easy entry to college, but you must investigate the deal you are being provided closely and carefully.
Finally, there is always regular admissions. Early admission dates have their advantages, but you must consider the student’s goals and abilities. For each college, read carefully the types of admissions paths and deadlines they have. An Excel chart helps! Then, make a realistic decision about what is the best path to follow and take the indicated steps. There is a school for everyone. You’ll find it.