First the new SAT, now no more early decision! Gosh, I’m getting old.
This week, Harvard rocked the world’s college-bound juniors by abolishing its early action program effective fall 2007.
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| Choice is good! (Penn Application, 2006-2007) |
Experts have long debated the merits of early decision programs. Harvard’s move is significant in that it clears the way for other schools to also abolish their early admission programs. Indeed, Princeton followed suit on Monday.
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting that Penn copy Princeton (ugh). But a little self reflection is always productive. Maybe it’s time for Penn to look at its early decision program.
Should Penn continue its early decision program? Short Answer: yes, at least for now.
Here’s why:
- Penn wants students who want Penn
We go to a unique school with a unique bundle of opportunities, and an innovative, practical approach to education. Early decision allows students to indicate to the admissions office that they understand Penn’s shtick and that they really want to be at Penn. Also, from a more pragmatic standpoint, accepting kids early decision lowers the admit rate for Penn overall (because all students admitted early come) thereby raising the university’s prestige. Wouldn’t it be nice if we stopped getting confused with Penn State?
- Creating choices is better than eliminating them
One of the main advantages Harvard cites for eliminating early applications is that doing so allows students to compare financial aid packages. The need to compare packages is certainly a good reason to not apply to early to college. Still, I have a hard time seeing how eliminating choices is in the best interest of anyone.
Improving the affordability of college is a real issue. Penn’s solution ought not to throw our hands up and let other schools claim talented students because they offer students better financial aid. In other words, if we are trying to accommodate students with financial needs, we should improve our financial aid program so that they can not only afford college, but afford Penn. And all without eliminating options for the rest of the applicant pool.
- All applicants get a better shot if some students apply early
18,824 students applied to Penn last year. That’s a lot of applications to read. Under the current system, 3,420 (18%) of those applications arrived by November 1st. In all those cases, a decision was made to admit, defer, or reject the student before the tsunami of January 1st applications arrived. Early decision spreads out the workload in the admissions office. It’s the difference between pulling an all-nighter and working ahead on a paper. What yields better decisions?
- Have some pity on the seniors
Do you remember being a first semester high school senior? Do you know any high school juniors and seniors? My friends at Penn would say that I’m a pretty laid-back girl, but when I was applying to college two years ago I was a certifiable spazz. Many kids spend their whole high school careers scheming how to get into college. The last thing they need is to wait another few months, go to more costly college counselor appointments and retake the SATs, again. But, if a student needs more time to prepare their application (or wants to prolong the torture) they can have it and apply regular decision. Look, everyone’s happy!
My senior year of high school basically began December 10, 2004 at 5:05 pm. Until then I couldn’t focus on enjoying my last year with my friends in the school I had gone to for 13 years because I was so busy figuring out my next step. Maybe there are some kids who can multi-task better than I or for some reason need more time to decide where to apply. That’s fine; Penn has a regular decision program.
As for me, the opportunity to relax, get to know my friends again and learn for the sake of learning rather than grades was invaluable. It is also an opportunity I loathe to deny other students.
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