Early decision remains popular despite conflicts
While others abandon the system, Hopkins sees increase in applicants willing to bind themselves, regardless of aid
Early decision has traditionally been one of the central tenets of many college admissions programs, empowering universities to attract and enroll the students most eager to attend.
In recent years, however, the process of early decision has become controversial for a number of reasons. One such reason relates to the "binding agreement" element of the early decision process. When students apply to a school via early decision, they are contractually obligated to attend if accepted.
There are, however, exceptions to this rule, the most notable being that when early decision accepted students receive insufficient financial aid packages, it is generally possible for them to back out of their agreements.
William Conley, interim director of financial aid and dean of enrollment and academic services, commented on the issue. "It's not a common problem among Hopkins early decision students," he said. "We do say that if financial circumstances prevent [a student from following through on] an early decision binding commitment, we will allow the student to change over to regular admissions."
According to Conley, if an early decision admitted student and family insist that they cannot meet the terms of the financial aid package they receive, the student can choose to shift his or her application over to the regular admissions pool. This means that their entire application will be re-evaluated and given a new decision.
Conley also said that Hopkins does not have a major problem with broken early decision agreements because of the number of early decision students who need financial aid. "Last year about 43 percent of early decision students received financial aid, slightly higher than regular. That's why it doesn't seem to happen too frequently."
According to John Latting, director of Undergraduate Admissions at Hopkins, thus far, the Hopkins admissions office has not had a problem with students who simply decide, once accepted early decision, that they no longer want to attend the school.
In recent years, however, the process of early decision has become controversial for a number of reasons. One such reason relates to the "binding agreement" element of the early decision process. When students apply to a school via early decision, they are contractually obligated to attend if accepted.
There are, however, exceptions to this rule, the most notable being that when early decision accepted students receive insufficient financial aid packages, it is generally possible for them to back out of their agreements.
William Conley, interim director of financial aid and dean of enrollment and academic services, commented on the issue. "It's not a common problem among Hopkins early decision students," he said. "We do say that if financial circumstances prevent [a student from following through on] an early decision binding commitment, we will allow the student to change over to regular admissions."
According to Conley, if an early decision admitted student and family insist that they cannot meet the terms of the financial aid package they receive, the student can choose to shift his or her application over to the regular admissions pool. This means that their entire application will be re-evaluated and given a new decision.
Conley also said that Hopkins does not have a major problem with broken early decision agreements because of the number of early decision students who need financial aid. "Last year about 43 percent of early decision students received financial aid, slightly higher than regular. That's why it doesn't seem to happen too frequently."
According to John Latting, director of Undergraduate Admissions at Hopkins, thus far, the Hopkins admissions office has not had a problem with students who simply decide, once accepted early decision, that they no longer want to attend the school.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jon L Albee, CAGS '03
posted 11/30/07 @ 10:08 AM EST
I agree with the critics. Early admission does nothing but further reinforce the advantages of applicants with an advantage. It's just a tool for competitive parents to get a jump on bragging rights. (Continued…)
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