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Early Decision / Early Action

You've written the college essay, signed the application and sealed the envelope, all before the deadline. Now, you'll spend the next four months wondering if you'll be accepted to the college you love, or if you'll need to rely on your safety school.

Fortunately, many schools permit students to apply for "early decision" or "early action." Both options allow students to submit their applications early, usually in November, and find out if they've been accepted by December. But before you apply for early decision, make sure you've made the right decision.

Early decision is binding, which means you must attend that college or university if it accepts you and gives you a reasonable financial aid package. If you are accepted, you must withdraw any applications sent to other schools.

"When you apply early decision, you're saying 'If I get in, I'm coming there,'" says Roz Bolger, director of development at Emory University. "If you know where you want to be and there's no doubt, you get to know early. And early decision can be a real enticement to admissions counselors."

But early decision isn't for everyone. Apply for early decision only if you're absolutely sure about where you want to go to college and are reasonably sure you'll be accepted (i.e., your profile is similar to other students who go to that school). It's not a good idea to apply early if you're worried about the financial aid package or if you're curious about other schools.

"There are no real disadvantages to early action," says Ted O'Neill, dean of admissions at University of Chicago. "Early action enables students to apply early in the fall and get a response by the middle of December. But admitted students have no obligation; they can still apply to other schools, and they don't have to tell us anything until May 1."

Unlike early decision, early action gives you the opportunity to compare admissions and financial aid offers. But read each college's guidelines carefully, because policies vary.

You should only apply for early action if you have a very strong interest in a school and you can compete with other early action applicants.

Letters of Recommendation for Your College Application

One of the most important parts of your college application isn't written by you: the letter of recommendation. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Get the best recommendation you can to make a winning impression.

Organization is the key to making sure your recommendations get where they need to go on time. Make a chart of your prospective schools and their application requirements:

Check off parts of the application once you have completed them. The chart will help you keep track of the application process.

Choose adults who know you well. Teachers can comment about your academic skills. But also consider other people who can write about your talents and abilities, like coaches, employers, community and church leaders.

Teachers, community leaders and your peers "know the student in ways we can't. They can tell us about the student's character and how they've seen them grow," says Roz Bolger, a former admissions officer at Emory University.

Some schools require more than one letter of recommendation from counselors or teachers in particular subjects. Carefully read the instructions on the application before choosing someone to write the recommendation.

Don't ask family members to write your letters; their comments won't be as credible to an admissions counselor.

Give your recommenders enough time to write thoughtful and articulate letters. At the beginning of your senior year, make a list of people who could write positive recommendations based on your personal character and academic qualities.

Many college applications are due in January, so start asking for recommendations in November. Make an appointment to speak with your recommenders at least two months before the application deadline.

Your recommender can probably comment on your positive qualities and merits, but the most persuasive letters give specific information about your strengths and weaknesses.

"Take time with the person writing the recommendation so that they have a clear understanding of why you're applying. Give them a viewbook about the school and even your resume for additional ammunition."

Make sure your recommenders have everything they need to write your letter and submit it on time. That includes:

By being prepared and organized, you'll make it easy for your recommenders to write an outstanding letter of recommendation!

Sample Essay Questions for College Apps

The essay: It's one of the most important parts of your college application, and it can be the hardest. But it doesn't have to be. Take a look at some of the most commonly asked essay questions and use them to prepare for your applications. Brainstorm ideas, do some research or create your own "stock" of application essays from the commonly used questions below.

To test your skills at problem-solving and check how up-to-date you are on current issues, many applications include questions about problems and issues facing society.

Colleges are looking for students who have achieved in some area of their lives. So you shouldn't be surprised to find essay topics that ask you to brag a little.

Who you are is closely tied to where you've been and who you've known. To learn more about you, some admissions committees will ask you to write about your background and major influences.

Colleges look for applicants with vision and motivation, so they might ask about your goals and aspirations.

Some essay questions don't seem directly related to your education or life experience, but committees use them to test your creativity and get a better sense of your personality.

While you can't predict every essay question, knowing some of the most common ones can give you a leg up on applications.

Top Ten Tips for Admissions

Your class record is a big part of your college application. Don't take courses that simply pad your GPA. Challenge yourself. Take AP, IB or honors courses. If your school doesn't offer them, see if your local community college or university does.

Do volunteer work. Make a difference and volunteer for activities that reflect your personality and matter to you. Volunteering benefits your community and looks great on an application.

Familiarize yourself with the test by taking sample versions beforehand. Get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a well-balanced breakfast. Read the directions and test questions carefully. Pace yourself so you have time to review your work.

Develop your ideal college profile. Then find matches with the help of your guidance counselor and Learn more about your schools of choice via their Web sites, campus visits and college fairs.

Approach each application as if it were the only one that you're filling out. Read the directions carefully and follow them precisely. Tell the truth. Complete a draft copy first, then revise and proofread. Avoid the common errors of college apps.

Start by brainstorming for an original topic and take some time to hone your unique point of view. When writing, be clear, concise and well organized. And don't forget to check grammar and spelling.

Many colleges require applications to be in by early January. Online applications are a great way to get your forms in quickly.

Choose adults who know you well such as teachers, employers, coaches, clergy and community leaders. Provide them with all the necessary materials and information well in advance. Find out if the due date is a postmark date or a receive date. For receive dates, send letters at least 10 days in advance.

Follow up on your applications.
If a college hasn't sent you something that they should have, don't be afraid to check on your application. With thousands of applications being processed, mistakes do occasionally happen. Dazzle them at your college interview. Stay calm. Prepare by practicing with friends and formulate a few questions to ask. Dress for the occasion. Follow up with a thank-you note.

Write a Great College Admissions Essay

Remember, it's the part of your application that is fully under your control. Make it work to your advantage!

Nothing will land your essay in the circular file faster than an obviously recycled or "near match" essay.

Choose a topic that is meaningful to you. Write in your own words. Write what you feel, not what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. "The essay is the candidate's opportunity to explain to us who they are and why they are unique," says Charlotte Lazor, associate director of admission information systems for Wesleyan University.

Don't take on too big of a topic, and don't adopt a preachy tone. College admission officers don't want to be lectured on rainforest destruction. Instead, tell them how you became interested in environmentalism.

Try to come up with something different. Remember that the people reviewing your essay have read hundreds -- if not thousands -- of essays. Don't give them one more "The Teacher Who Influenced Me Most" or "Drinking and Driving is Bad" essay to wade through.

Your essay needs to be engaging and memorable. Try to draw the reader in with a quick, enticing introduction. You want to catch their interest and give them a reason to finish your essay.

If you're writing about a traumatic experience, describe the negatives but don't dwell on them. Rather, explore how the experience changed you and what you took away from it.

Write a first draft. Let it sit for a few days. Then review it carefully and look for weak or dull spots, as well as spelling and grammatical errors. Never let your first draft be your final draft.

Revision is the key to all good writing including college application essays. Hammer your draft into shape through various rewrites. Read each draft aloud. Your ears can pick up problems that your eyes may miss.

Teachers, counselors, friends, parents, siblings - ask people you respect for some candid feedback. "What do you think I'm trying to say?" "Does it sound confusing?" "Is it boring?" "Do I come across well?"

No essay needs to be error-free more than this one. Have your English teacher look it over. Quadruple-check the spelling. Type your essay carefully. Don't let careless mistakes get between you and the school of your dreams.