Applying early helpful to college-bound high school students

Special to the Acorn


Applying early helpful

to college-bound

high school students

Part two of two parts

When making an early decision (the application process in which a student applies to just one college for early acceptance), the applicant agrees to attend if accepted and withdraw all other applications from other universities.


What other nifty marketing programs do colleges have tucked up their gowns to help a student get in a tad before the maddening rush?


Another option available is called early action. This program is identical to early acceptance with two notable exceptions. One, the student isn’t bound to attend the accepting college and two, applications may be sent to an unlimited number of colleges.


Pat Croner of Westlake Village- based The College Match said, "Some students apply to eight or more schools, based upon their level of acceptance anxiety."


Other than that, the student applying after Nov. 1 receives notification by Dec. 15 and must make a decision by May 1, which is the national "D" Day of decision for all colleges.


Brown University is an early action school along with Harvard and Georgetown.


"I liked the fact I could apply early to my first choice which was Brown and could still apply to other universities," said Hilary Leewong, a Calabasas High School senior who was recently accepted to Brown. "If Brown had been early decision and required a commitment, I definitely still would have applied. Brown is right for me."


This firm acceptance by the college (or in some instances more than one) eliminates the worry of not getting in and permits the student to evaluate the financial aid packages offered by the school.


Westlake High School Assistant Principal, Lou Lichtl said, "The student can wear their acceptance as a badge of honor and concentrate on their senior year grades which must be maintained or the college can withdraw the acceptance."


Sometimes there’s even a two-tier early-action program staggered about 60 days apart.


The objective here is for a college to accept applications from students who (for whatever reason) failed to apply during the first round of early action.


Plus, the college stands ready to snag any applicants who were rejected or deferred during the early decision process from their campus of first choice.


It’s similar to the second round draft in sports.


Students who will depend upon financial aid packages are well served by early action, especially if more than one university makes an offer of acceptance. At least for awhile, the student has some leverage to better their financial aid––especially if the college wants them to attend.


At this stage, it’s strictly business and negotiating for as much assistance as possible to go to college. The student can turn down an offer and the university can say, "That’s the best we can do."


Most applicants are in negotiation with more than one college in the process of early action, which is a benefit.


If the student has an asset that the university values (such as art, dance or musical talent), it will strengthen its offer based upon a desirability scale.


If the student is greatly desired, then more financial aid is offered. If the level of desire is only average, so is the financial assistance package.


Universities know exactly what they want and exactly how much they’re willing to pay for it. Years and years of experience and actuarial tables of offers and acceptances come into play.


Steve Rosentsweig, Calabasas High School Assistant Principal said, "Colleges want the early action candidate because they know that the student is a motivated individual who has planned for their college career and wants to resolve the decision making process sooner than later."


The college realizes that it was included among applications to probably no more than six schools. These are considered very good odds because the university will assume that two other schools probably accepted the candidate.


At this point, the college has enough early action offers circulating to fill at least a third of its openings if necessary. Then comes the regular decision pool of applicants from which to select.


As an insurance policy, the university will "wait list" applicants to draw upon if the acceptances come up short on May 1.


The wait list is the last resort. A student’s chances of getting accepted aren’t very promising once he or she is wait listed.


The University of California system doesn’t offer any form of early decision or early action. Within the California State University system there are two exceptions that do offer early programs.


Cal State University San Luis Obispo does offer a version of early acceptance to students with a declared major. Students are accepted from these applications until the limited number of openings are filled and then the process ceases. The school accepts an average of 38 percent of its applications.


Several California state universities offer Community Admissions Day for first-time freshmen. This is a form of early action because it takes place in late October and during November.


If a student satisfies the basic admission requirements, such as GPA, test scores and residency, then it’s possible to have the application processed and an admission’s decision made on the spot.


Joel Barr, Agoura High School counselor, took advantage of this program at Northridge. "My son and I actually met with the department head, had all of our questions answered, toured the facilities and it was done. Great program."


Colleges also offer rolling acceptance, which means that applications are processed as soon as received. It only takes a few weeks for the college to reply.


Generally, the deadline is May 1 to apply, but the college will continue to accept students after that date until capacity enrollment is achieved. This is a first-come, first- accepted process.


Finally, there’s open admission. Nothing gets complicated here with a selective admissions’ process. Acceptance is offered to all students who apply. The community colleges (CCs) offer this type of admission.


CCs are an excellent opportunity for a student to sift through course offerings if he or she is unsure about a career goal.


Many students like the convenience and tuition savings afforded while wading through basic course requirements before transferring to a CSU or UC with a declared major.


These dates are important for any student making application to a California State University or University of California campus:


Oct. 1 is the first day that a student may submit online applications to CSU.


Nov. 1 is the first day to submit applications to all UC campuses via the Internet and paper. Jan. 1 is the first day that applications for financial aid may be submitted.


March 1 is the last day that Cal Grant GPA verification forms can be postmarked.


May 1 is the last day to formally accept or decline an offer of admission.


Miss these dates and miss out on college.





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