Most high school seniors won’t find out until March or April that they have been admitted to college. However, almost 15 percent of next year’s freshman class have already been admitted and chosen to come to Fairfield.
Fairfield is among the elite schools in the nation who use the process of early decision in order to assess prospective students. The program is growing, from 120 students applying four years ago to 172 this year.
“Historically we have looked very closely at early decision students,” said Judy Dobai, director of admission. “These students are energized about Fairfield and make a clear statement by applying early that they are very committed to being here.”
Each year, approximately 7,000 high school seniors apply to Fairfield overall. 172 students applied to Fairfield under the early decision program, of which 115 have been admitted.
“Our early decision pool is relatively small in comparison with other colleges,” said Dobai. “Fairfield will enroll about 15 percent of its freshmen through early decision versus some colleges that enroll as much as 40-50% of their class through Early Decision.”
Deciding to apply early decision is a binding agreement between the prospective student and the university. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibility, “If you are under the early decision plan, you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and make no additional applications.”
Students with certain financial need are given more latitude within the early decision process. Financial Aid packages are not always determined at the end of December when the student’s application is accepted. Therefore, in accordance with the Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibility, “If you are an early decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, you need not withdraw other applications until you have received notification about financial aid.”
According to Judy Dobai, director of admission, the pool of students within the early decision process is no different academically than those who apply at the regular time. The difference lies in the students desire to attend Fairfield.
Early decision is a method through which students who know exactly where they want to attend college can apply early to see if they will be admitted. The process starts with an application deadline in mid-November. The student will be informed Admission Department’s decision before the end of December.
Fairfield is one of almost 200 universities who offer early decision to prospective students. Other universities offer an early action option to students who do not wish to commit to a certain school. Through early action, a student is given notification about their acceptance early, but does not have to make a decision to attend until the regular decision period in May.
“I only allow my students to apply early decision when the are 100 percent sure that they want to attend a school,” said Richard Borsch College Counselor at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL.
Early decision application is not the only option for high school seniors, but for some it is their best.
“Early decision may not have been the best thing for me personally, but for some of my friends in high school, it was the best option for them,” said Greg Minor ’05. “They knew exactly where they wanted to go.”
Leave a Reply