Early Decision/Early Action Policies

The early decision/early action policies for the following schools are listed below.

• Allegheny College
• American University
• Amherst College
• Assumption College
• Barnard College
• Bennington College
• Boston College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bucknell University
• Cal Poly
• Carleton College
• College of William & Mary, The
• College of Wooster, The
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Denison University
• Drew University
• Fordham University
• Gonzaga University
• Grinnell College
• Grove City College
• Goucher College
• Hamilton College
• James Madison University
• Juniata College
• Kenyon College
• Lafayette College
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University
• Rutgers University
• Scripps College
• Smith College
• Southern Methodist University
• Southwestern University
• Spelman College
• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Stony Brook University
• Susquehanna University
• Syracuse University
• Union College
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of Scranton
• University of Vermont
• Whitman College

Allegheny College - Meadville, PA
Martin Vaughn, Associate Director of Admissions
Phone: 814-332-4735
Email: martin.vaughn@allegheny.edu
Web Site: www.allegheny.edu/admissions/apply/admission.php#early

Allegheny College offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: Within 3 weeks

ED/EA Policy: Early Decision Option
A formal Early Decision program permits students who especially desire to attend Allegheny to have their credentials considered in advance of the regular selection process. Prospective students should not become candidates for Early Decision unless Allegheny is the first choice college and unless they intend to accept an offer of admission. Early Decision candidates may submit applications to other colleges, but these applications must be withdrawn when acceptance to Allegheny is confirmed. A one page insert in the "Application to Allegheny College" details the exact terms of the agreement. The Early Decision procedures are identical to those for Regular Decision, except for the application deadline noted above.

Why apply under the Early Decision plan?

If you have decided that Allegheny is your first choice, you will hear about your acceptance (and financial aid offer, if applicable) early and have your college plans set. If you are ready to commit to Allegheny, we can be ready to commit to you as early as the fall of your senior year. We typically start receiving Early Decision applications in October and can accept these applications until November 15. If you and your family are candidates for financial aid, we will send you an early version of the financial aid forms so that we may provide you with an early estimated financial aid package. Your parents will still need to complete the FAFSA by February 15 to confirm the data they report on this early form.

The admissions committee will make one of the following decisions on an Early Decision application:

Accept for admission. Approved candidates must pay a non- refundable $300 deposit by the date indicated in the letter of acceptance (normally four weeks are allowed) or the applicant will be withdrawn and no further request for consideration honored.
Delay final notification. This action by the Admissions Committee suggests that additional grades from the senior year, test information, or an interview is desired prior to making the final decision. Candidates may opt to retake the SAT I or ACT. The additional scores will then be considered prior to making a final decision. No additional application is required, and a candidate's admission status will not be adversely influenced by the Committee's action to delay final notification.

Deny entrance. Applicants who should direct their college planning to other institutions will be notified accordingly and as quickly as possible. Early Decision candidates seeking financial assistance will not be required to forward the $300 initial deposit before they receive an estimated financial aid award.

Early Decision is an excellent option, and we encourage you to call or e-mail us if you have any questions or concerns. Typically, 20 percent of our incoming class is filled through Early Decision and 80 percent via Regular Decision.

American University - Washington, DC
Anna Seltz, Associate Director, Admissions
Phone: 202-885-6000
Email: admissions@american.edu
Web Site:
admissions.american.edu/public/contentPage/contentPage.asp?navID=132&parId=306&docID=166

American University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 31

EA/ED Policy: The Early Decision Plan (ED) at American University is an application option for freshman students for whom American University is their first choice. When a student applies as an ED candidate, they agree to enroll in AU, if admitted, in exchange for receiving their admission decision early.

The benefits of applying early decision are early notification of the admission decision, early notification of any merit scholarship award or invitation to join the Honors Program, early notification of an estimated financial aid award, first choice of residence hall or a guaranteed double room and early registration for fall semester courses, if housing documents and course registration materials are returned in a timely fashion.

The Early Decision Plan at American University does not provide students with additional merit scholarship or need-based financial aid money beyond what our Regular Decision Plan offers. If finances are a major factor in deciding where a student will attend school, American University advises students to apply under our Regular Decision Plan.

Early Decision applicants may initiate applications to other schools before notification of admission to American University. However, if you are admitted to American, you must submit a tuition deposit and withdraw applications to other colleges and universities. Early Decision applicants are evaluated by the same criteria as regular applicants and will receive an admission decision prior to December 31.

Early Decision candidates, a parent/guardian, and the school counselor must fill out and sign this Early Decision Plan Agreement, which is also included in the AU paper application.

Early Decision Financial Aid
If you apply as an Early Decision student and also intend to apply for need-based financial aid, you must complete two financial aid application forms:

The AU Institutional Financial Aid Application (IFAA)

The AU IFAA should be submitted to AU's Financial Aid office as soon as possible--preferably by November 15 and no later than December 1. It can be completed online from the AU Prospective Student Portal or downloaded in PDF format and mailed to arrive by the deadline.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

1. Applicants must complete the paper or online version of the FAFSA.

2. List American University (Title IV code #001434) in section H of the FAFSA because AU must receive your FAFSA electronically from the federal processor.

3. Submit the completed FAFSA form to the federal processor, who must receive the form as soon as possible after January 1 for Early Decision applicants, by February 15.

Assumption College - Worcester, MA
Mario Silva, Director of Admissions
Phone: 508-767-7285
Email: silva@assumption.edu
Web Site: www.assumption.edu/admiss/Applying/default.html

Assumption College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: Early Decision Applicants:
If you have decided that Assumption is the college you would most like to attend, the Early Decision program provides you with an opportunity to apply by November 15th and receive a decision by December 15th. If you are offered admission under our Early Decision program, you commit yourself to enrolling at Assumption.

To apply Early Decision you need to complete the testing requirements (SAT I) no later than the College Board's November testing date and to send your completed application to our office by November 15th. (Since the College Board also has an October testing date, you might wish to complete the testing requirements in October.)

If you are offered admission as an Early Decision candidate, you then need to withdraw any previously initiated applications to other colleges.

Those candidates who are not offered admission under the Early Decision program will automatically have their applications deferred to be reviewed and evaluated again among the Regular Decision applicant pool.

Amherst College - Amherst, MA
Phone: 413-542-2328
Email: admission@amherst.edu

Amherst College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 15

Barnard College - New York, NY
Jennifer Fondiller, Dean of Admissions
Phone: 212-854-2014
Email: admissions@barnard.edu
Web Site: www.barnard.edu/admiss

Barnard College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: Students who have selected Barnard as their first-choice college may apply for Early Decision. Students admitted under the Early Decision are obligated to attend Barnard College the following fall. They are not allowed to defer their enrollment. The Committee on Admissions may choose to postpone the decision on an Early Decision application until the spring. In that event, the candidate will be asked to submit a record of her school work from the first half of her senior year for further review. Students applying for financial aid may submit early paperwork and receive an estimated award.

Bennington College - Bennington, VT
Tonya Strong, Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 800-833-6845
Email: tstrong@bennington.edu
Web Site: www.bennington.edu

Bennington College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15, 2005
College Notification Date: mid-December

Boston College - Chestnut Hill, MA
Paul Bonitto, Associate Director
Email: bonitto@bc.edu

Boston College offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: December 15

Brandeis University - Waltham, MA
Yos Bugallo, Admissions Counselor
Phone: 781-736-3500
Email: yoselin@brandeis.edu
Web Site: www.brandeis.edu/admissions/applying/howto.php

Brandeis University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: We are always enthusiastic about promising students for whom Brandeis is their first choice school.

To apply as an Early Decision candidate, you and your college counselor must sign a statement on your application that you understand the implications of the Early Decision Plan and pledge to enroll at Brandeis if admitted.

Download the statement at: www.brandeis.edu/admissions/applying/EDAgreement0506.pdf. Please remember that this is a binding agreement. You may file regular decision applications at other colleges, but you must withdraw them if you are admitted to Brandeis under the Early Decision Plan.

NEW EARLY DECISION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15

Effective fall, 2005:

The deadline to apply for Early Decision admission to Brandeis is November 15th. By that date, we must have the following:

-The Common Application
-The Brandeis Supplement
-Early Decision Agreement Form (signed by you and your guidance/college counselor)
-The application fee or appropriate fee waiver form
-Your High School Transcript through junior year and, if available, first term senior grades
-Teacher and Guidance Counselor recommendations
-SAT Reasong Test scores and as many SAT Subject Test scores as you have completed (two are required) or the ACT with Writing

We we will review your application and mail your decision by December 15th.

Your parents should file the CSS PROFILE (financial aid form) at the same time that you apply to Brandeis through the Early Decision Plan if you would like to be considered for need-based aid or scholarships.

Early Decision Financial Aid Details
If you are admitted to Brandeis and are eligible for financial aid, you will receive your financial aid package before you must send us your enrollment deposit. We make every effort to make Brandeis affordable to all accepted students.

Access the CSS PROFILE at: www.collegeboard.com/

Brown University - Providence, RI
Angela Romans, Associate Director of Admission
Phone: 401-863-7938
Email: admission_undergraduate@brown.edu
Web Site: www.brown.edu/Administration/Admission/applyingtobrown/earlydecision.html

Brown University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: mid-December

EA/ED Policy: Early Decision is a plan under which first-year applicants to Brown may apply for admission in the fall of their senior year and receive an admission decision in mid-December. Early Decision is intended for students who consider Brown their top choice and therefore are willing to make a binding commitment to attend Brown if admitted. Early Decision is reserved for applicants who have not applied to any other Early Decision or Early Action programs (Ivy League or non-Ivy League institutions). Brown reserves the right to withdraw the applications of Early Decision applicants who do so. You may, however, apply to other colleges at any time under their respective Regular Admission programs.

It should not be assumed that your admission chances are improved by applying under the Early Decision plan. Each year's group of applications are assessed on individual merits. The Board of Admission makes the same decisions under Early Decision that it would make under the Regular Admission plan. We utilize the Early Decision plan as a service which provides you with an early notification of your admission status.

Bucknell University - Lewisburg, PA
Tim Johnson, Assistant Director of Admisions
Phone: 570-577-1101
Email: tmj-bu@bucknell.edu

Bucknell University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: ED I: Nov. 15, ED II: January 1
College Notification Date: 3-4 weeks

EA/ED Policy: We have two Early Decision deadlines. Both of these deadlines have the "binding" agreement associated with them. ED I: Nov. 15, ED II:Jan 1

Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo, CA
Terrance Harris, Admission Officer
Phone: 805-756-2767
Email: tharris@calpoly.edu
Web Site: www.calpoly.edu/%7Eacadprog/2005pdf/admiss.pdf

Cal Poly offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: October 31
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: Early Decision is an option offered to those first-time freshman applicants for whom Cal Poly is clearly their first choice. Applicants should have established strong and consistent academic records throughout secondary school and should have completed all the required standardized testing by October of their senior year.  Candidates are reviewed on their program of study in secondary school, academic performance in classes, standardized test scores, extra-curricular activities, and/or work experience.

Early Decision candidates must be committed to attend Cal Poly. Students admitted under this plan and who accept the terms of admission may be released only for compelling medical or financial reasons. Students who apply for Early Decision and are not selected will automatically be reviewed under the Regular Decision process.

For students who choose the Early Decision option:
- The student must submit an electronic application, along with the required $55 application fee, by a final   deadline of October 31st.
- The student is notified of the admission decision around December 15th.
- The student's reply to an offer of admission by Cal Poly must be submitted electronically by January 15th.

Please complete the interest card at the following web site:  www.ess.calpoly.edu/_admiss/interest/ ... this will create your very own VIP page with a password and all requested information showing on your VIP page.  You can also register for a campus tour and our Admissions Information Session from your VIP page.

We also recommend that you create an account at www.csumentor.edu and complete the student planner.  This will benefit you when you are ready to apply to Cal Poly.  We require you to apply on line and the application is housed at csumentor.

Carleton College - Northfield, MN
Djiara Meehan, Assistant Dean of Admissions
Phone: 800-995-2275
Email: dmeehan@acs.carleton.edu
Web Site: www.carleton.edu/admissions/overview/applying/calendar.html

Carleton College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15/January 15
College Notification Date: December 15/February 15

EA/ED Policy: Those who decide that Carleton is their first choice college are encouraged to apply under the Early Decision program. Early Decision is a commitment to attend if accepted. Students may submit applications to other colleges or universities, but not under another early decision plan. Those accepted will be expected to withdraw all other applications.

Early Decision candidates are reviewed at two different times of the year, but whenever the student applies, the criteria for selection are identical. until March 1 to submit the $200 confirming deposit.

College of William & Mary, The - Williamsburg, VA
Deborah Baskett, Associate Dean of Admission
Phone: 757-221-1837
Email: dlbask@wm.edu
Web Site: www.wm.edu/admission/?id=3666

The College of William & Mary offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1, 2005
College Notification Date: December 1, 2005

EA/ED Policy: The Early Decision process is appropriate for students who have identified William & Mary as a first choice and are prepared to make a binding commitment to enroll if admitted. Application materials for Early Decision candidates are due by November 1. Decisions are issued in early December. Transfer students cannot apply as Early Decision candidates.

If a student is admitted early decision, the atudent promises to deposit and enroll in the Fall of the following year.  Therefore, students should only apply early decision if they know that William and Mary is their first choice school.

College of Wooster, The - Wooster, OH
Derek Gueldenzoph, Dean of Admissions
Phone: 330-263-2126
Email: dgueldenzoph@wooster.edu

The College of Wooster offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: December 1, 2005
College Notification Date: December 15, 2005

Columbia University - New York, NY
David Weisbord, Sr. Admissions Officer
Phone: 212-854-8250
Email: dw2181@columbia.edu
Web Site: www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/aboutapplying/firstyear.php

Columbia University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: Mid-December

EA/ED Policy: If you are willing to make a binding commitment to Columbia as your first choice, you may apply under the Early Decision plan. All your application documents must be postmarked by November 1. You must have all standardized testing completed by the November test dates, and you must be certain to have your scores reported directly to Columbia by the testing agency.

In mid-December you will be notified of the results of your Early Decision application.

If you are admitted under the Early Decision plan, you are obligated to accept Columbia's offer of admission. You may file no further college applications and must withdraw any you have already begun.

If you are deferred under the Early Decision plan it means a final decision on your candidacy will be made with the regular applicant pool, and you will be notified in early April.

If you are denied under the Early Decision plan, you must consider carefully your other college options. You may not apply to Columbia again for that year.

Cooper Union - New York, NY
Susan Cohen, Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 212-353-4120
Email: admissions@cooper.edu
Web Site: www.cooper.edu

Cooper Union offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: 12/1/2005
College Notification Date: 1/2006

EA/ED Policy - All early decision admits must accept our offer. We highly encourage students to visit prior to the application deadline. For more information, please visit www.cooper.edu

Cornell University – Ithaca, NY
Siv Somchanhmavong, Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment
Phone: 607-255-7233
Email: ss88@cornell.edu
Web Site: admissions.cornell.edu

Cornell University offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: Mid December

EA/ED Policy - Early Decision to Cornell is binding. Which means, if admitted, you're expected to enroll. Cornell will provide equally attractive need based aid in Early Decision as well as Regular Decision. However, should expected financial contribution and family circumstances become a challenge, students can be realease from their binding commitment.

Before considering an ED program at Cornell or anywhere else, please do a thorough investigation of programs and resources. Visit campus, sit in on a class or two, talk to students and faculty, and immerse yourself as if your a student. If you enjoyed the experience and can't imagine any other place to be, then applying Early Decision to your first choice school is ideal.

Denison University - Granville, OH
Nancy Gibson, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions
Phone: 740-587-6791
Email: gibsonn@denison.edu
Web Site: www.denison.edu

Denison University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1 & January 1
College Notification Date: December 1  &  February 1

EA/ED Policy: Our Early Decision policy is a binding agreement.  Students must sign an agreement form along with their parent and guidance counselor.

Drew University - Madison, NJ
April Vidor, Special Asst. to the Dean
Phone: 973-408-3703
Email: avidor@drew.edu
Web Site: depts.drew.edu/claadmis/process/early_dec.php

Drew University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: ED I = December 1; EDII = January 15
College Notification Date: ED I = December 24; EDII = February 15

EA/ED Policy: Applying Early Decision (ED) to Drew is the strongest statement you can make about your interest in attending the university. If you have found a fit with Drew, and we agree, we'll admit you.

Historically, the Early Decision applicant pool is smaller than the one for regular decision. When you apply Early Decision to Drew, you compete less for a place in the class than students who apply regular decision.

As an early Decision Applicant, you are given priority in your academic course selection in your first semester at Drew.

ED applicants are among the first students in the entire application pool to be considered for both merit scholarship and financial aid funds. Your commitment to enroll early at Drew can be matched by our commitment to meet your demonstrated financial need on a priority basis.

By applying and enrolling early at Drew, you enable us to begin the housing process for you before the students who apply and enroll later.

Fordham University offers Early Action
Application Deadline: November 1st
College Notification Date: December 25th

EA/ED Policy: Students for whom Fordham University is among their top choices and are prepared to submit all application materials by November 1st may consider applying under the Early Action process. Students will recive an admission decision by December 25th. If the student is admitted, it is a non-binding decision. Students will not be asked to make a decision as to whether or not they plan to attend Fordham University until May 1st. Most students not admitted during the Early Action process will be referred to Regular Decision, at which time their application will be reviewed in light of any new academic information received. If the admission committee is certain that an applicant would be inadmissible during the regular application process, the decision will be made to deny the student admission during the Early Action process. This will be the decision in a small number of cases.

To apply under the Early Action process, a student can use the regular Fordham application or the Common Application. On the Fordham application, please check the box for "Early Action". The deadline for applications is November 1. Students should complete the SAT I or ACT by October of their senior year.

Estimates of financial aid for Early Action applicants can be made after Fordham receives the processed CSS Profile.

Should you have further questions about the admission process, please contact the Office of Admission at 1-800-FORDHAM.

*Please note that Theatre and Dance applicants cannot apply Early Action.

Gonzaga University - Spokane, WA
Dennis Gagaoin, Assistant Dean of Admission
Phone: 509-323-6575
Email: gagaoin@gonzaga.edu
Web Site: www.gonzaga.edu/NR/exeres/1E7B3E81-FB26-430B-AF54-4A30D171319E.htm

Gonzaga University offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: January 15

EA/ED Policy: Gonzaga University's Early Action option is non-binding.  If you know that Gonzaga is among your top college choices and you have demonstrated strong academic potential through your junior year, then we invite you to apply early.  The benefits of applying early to Gonzaga include early notification, priority for class registration, and priority for on-campus housing assignment. 

For more information, please contact Dennis Gagaoin, Assistant Dean of Admission at 1-800-322-2584 x 6575 or gagaoin@gonzaga.edu.

Grinnell College - Grinnell, IA
Adrienne Enriquez, Asst Dean of Admission/Coord Multicultural Admission
Phone: 641-269-3600
Email: enriqadr@grinnell.edu
Web Site: www.grinnell.edu/admission

Grinnell College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 20 and January 1
College Notification Date: 1 month following app deadline

EA/ED Policy: Available only to first-year students who decide Grinnell is clearly their first choice, Early Decision I and II are a commitment to enroll, and those accepted under either of our Early Decision options must withdraw applications submitted to other colleges.  Students may not apply to more than one institution as an Early Decision candidate.  All Early Decision applicants must read and sign the Early Decision Agreement found on the back of the Grinnell College Preliminary Application.

Grove City College offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: November 15

Goucher College offers Early Action
Application Deadline: December 1, 2005
College Notification Date: February 15, 2005

Hamilton College - Clinton, NY
Nicole Robertson, Assistant Dean of Admission, Director of Diversity Recruitment
Phone: 800-843-2655
Email: nroberts@hamilton.edu
Web Site: my.hamilton.edu/admission/ApplicationProcess/early.html

Hamilton College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15 and January 1
College Notification Date: December 15 and February 20

EA/ED Policy: Both Early Decision Plan I and Plan II are binding admission programs. If accepted, students must withdraw all other college applications and file no additional ones. An enrollment deposit is required within two weeks of acceptance. Students not admitted under Early Decision may be denied admission or deferred for further consideration during the regular admission process.

Early Decision candidates applying for financial aid should file the CSS PROFILE. Awards given to Early Decision candidates compare favorably to those received by regular decision candidates.

James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA
Tiffany Gary, Senior Assistant Director
Phone: 540-568-6017
Email: garytv@jmu.edu
Web Site: www.jmu.edu/admissions/process/freshman.shtml

James Madison University offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: Mid-January

EA/ED Policy: Early Action (nonbinding) is more competitive than the Regular Decision process. To be admitted through Early Action, a student needs to be superior in curriculum, grades, test scores and extracurricular activities. For the last two years, 35 percent of the students deferred from Early Action to Regular Decision were eventually admitted. Students who apply through the Early Action process do not have an advantage over students who apply Regular Decision.

Juniata College - Huntingdon, PA
Heather Doyle, Admission Counselor, Multicultural Recruitment
Phone: 814-641-3430
Email: doyleh@juniata.edu
Web Site: www.juniata.edu

Juniata College offers Early Decision and Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 1 (ED) December 1, (EA)
College Notification Date: December 31 (ED) January 31(EA)

EA/ED Policy: At Juniata, we have both Early Decision and Early Action Admission timelines. 

Early Decision is Binding.Students are expected not to apply Ealy Decision to more than one school, and are expected to withdraw their applications at other schools to which they have applied if they are admitted Early Decision. Students who are admitted in this way will receive an Early decision financial aid form, which will allow them to see their official financial aid award early, and matriculate in a timely fashion.

Early Action is not binding.  Students have until May first to make their college choice. 

Kenyon College - Gambier, OH
Densil Porteous, Director of Multicultural Admissions
Phone: 800-848-2468
Email: admissions@kenyon.edu
Web Site: www.kenyon.edu/x1921.xml

Kenyon College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: December 1
College Notification Date: December 20

EA/ED Policy: Kenyon uses a three-part application. Part I requests basic biographical and demographic information-and it serves as your Early Decision Declaration Form. More about early decision ...

Part II consists of the Common Application form. Part III is the Kenyon Supplement to the Common Application. Parts II and III request more detailed information and include the essay and several short-answer questions.

You can complete all the forms online and send them to Kenyon over the Internet or you can download them in PDF format. Paper copies are automatically mailed to students who have requested information. If you apply online, there is no application fee.

Steps for Applying for Early Decision 1
Complete Part I of the application. Indicate your choice of Early Decision 1, and submit it to the Office of Admissions. Check the deadlines on this page or the consolidated Dates & Deadlines page. Apply online now ... Download Part I now ...

Complete Parts II and III of the application. Submit them to the Office of Admissions.

Lafayette College - Easton, PA
Skip Staats, Associate Director of Admissions
Phone: 610-330-5100
Email: staatss@lafayette.edu
Web Site: www.lafayette.edu/admissions/early_decision.html

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - North Adams, MA
Steve King, Assistant Dean for Enrollment
Phone: 413-662-5410
Email: admissions@mcla.edu
Web Site: www.mcla.edu/Admissions/Admission_Information/Admissions_Time_Line/

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: December 1
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: Students with a high interest in MCLA are encouraged to consider applying through the Early Action process.  Students who submit their application materials by December 1 are guaranteed a decision by December 15.  Early Action Candidates are offered admission, deferred to the regular admission cycle, or denied admission.  The offer of admission is non-binding and students have until May 1 to confirm their intention to enroll.  On average, the academic profile of students admitted in the Early Action cycle is above 1070 combined verbal and math score on the SAT with a high school grade point average above 3.2.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA
Bryan Nance, Director of Minority Recruitment
Phone: 617-258-5518
Email: bgnance@mit.edu
Web Site: my.mit.edu

Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers Early Action
Application Deadline: November 1, 2005
College Notification Date: Mid-December
EA/ED Policy: For information on MIT's application policy, please visit MyMIT, a website for prospective students and applicants, at http://my.mit.edu.  Register on MyMIT by creating a username and password, then log in whenever you would like to read up-to-date information on MIT academics and policies, or announcements that pertain to applicants.  Once you register on MyMIT, you will be sent a MIT prospectus and paper application automatically in the fall of your senior year, or you may feel free to apply electronically by using our online forms through MyMIT. 

Mount Holyoke College - South Hadley, MA
Kathleen Lichtenstein, Associate Director of Admission
Phone: 413-538-2023
Email: admission@mtholyoke.edu
Web Site: www.mtholyoke.edu/adm/center/faqs.shtml

Mount Holyoke College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15; January 1
College Notification Date: January 1; February 1 (respectively)

EA/ED Policy: Mount Holyoke offers an Early Decision program. We have two Early Decision deadlines of November 15 and January 1.

The Office of Admission encourages students to apply Early Decision if Mount Holyoke is their first choice. Early Decision candidates are competing with a smaller number of students, but with those of the same high quality as Regular Decision candidates. However, the fact that Early Decision students are making a commitment to Mount Holyoke and obviously have great enthusiasm for the College is taken into account when rendering decisions. If students are not accepted under Early Decision, they are either deferred and considered with the Regular Decision applicants in the spring or refused.

New York University - New York, NY
Bola Bamiduro Osakwe, Sr. Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 212-998-4500
Web Site: admissions.nyu.edu

New York University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: Beginning mid-December

EA/ED Policy: Please visit our Web site (admissions.nyu.edu) for more information regarding our admissions policies and procedures.

Rutgers University - Piscataway, NJ
Diane Harris, Director, Marketing and Communications for University Undergraduate Admissions
Phone: 732-932-INFO
Email: admissions@ugadm.rutgers.edu
Web Site: admissions.rutgers.edu/applying

Rutgers University offers None
Early Application Deadline: December 1
College Notification Date: February 28

EA/ED Policy: In order to qualify for our priority date campaign, first- year students (freshmen) must submit all required credentials by December 1. Even though they will receive notification by February 28, first-year students (freshmen) will have until May 1 to let us know whether they will attend the university.

Scripps College - Claremont, CA
Alicia Valencia, Associate Director of Admission
Phone: 800-770-1333
Email: admission@scrippscollege.edu
Web Site: www.scrippscollege.edu

Scripps College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1 and January 1
College Notification Date: December 15th and February 15th respectively

Smith College - Northampton, MA
Adrienne Perry, Assistant Director
Phone: 413-585-2500
Email: agperry@email.smith.edu
Web Site: www.smith.edu/admission/firstyear_req.php

Smith College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15 and January 1
College Notification Date: Mid December for November 15th and the end of January for January 1st

Southern Methodist University - Dallas, TX
Rod Jackson, Sr. Associate Director of Admission
Phone: 214-768-4354
Email: rodrickj@smu.edu
Web Site: www.smu.edu/admission

Southern Methodist University offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: December 31st

EA/ED Policy: It's a non-binding decision

Southwestern University - Georgetown, TX
Gail Roberson, Asst Director of Admission
Phone: 512-863-1200
Email: admission@southwestern.edu
Web Site: www.southwestern.edu/admission-finaid/deadline.html

Southwestern University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: December 1

EA/ED Policy: Students for whoe Southwestern is their clear first choice may apply under Early Decision. Early Decision requires that the application and all supporting documents be received by November 1. The student will be notified of admission by December 1. If admitted, the enrollment and housing deposit will be due by January 1, and the student must withdraw applications from all other schools.

Spelman College – Atlanta, GA
Janet Ashley, Interim Director of Admissions
Phone - (404) 270-5193
Email: jashley@spelman.edu
Web Site: http://www.spelman.edu/students/prospective/getting_in/

Spelman College Offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: November 1
Notification: December 15

EA/ED Policy: This plan is a binding plan and is best suited for the student who has decided early in the college search process that Spelman College is clearly her first choice. Applicants are admitted to Spelman College by December 15 of their senior year and agree not to be an Early Decision candidate at any other college. If accepted by Spelman College, she will withdraw her application from all other colleges or universities.

Stonybrook offers Early Action
Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: January

EA/ED Policy: Stony Brook University participates in the Early Action Program. Early Action is a non-binding early application/notification program for fall freshmen. If you are accepted Early Action, you need not withdraw your applications at other institutions until May 1.

To apply Early Action, we should receive your completed application by November 15. We will notify you of our decision by January 1. If accepted Early Action, you will have until May 1 to finalize your enrollment decision.

Susquehanna University - Selinsgrove, PA
Chris Markle, Director of Admissions
Phone: 800-326-9672
Email: suadmiss@susqu.edu
Web Site: www.susqu.edu/admissions/early_decision.htm

Susquehanna University offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15 or January 1
College Notification Date: December 1 or January 15

EA/ED Policy: Early Decision (ED) applicants are sure that Susquehanna (SU) is their number one college choice and are willing to commit to attending SU if admitted. Susquehanna offers two timelines for these students. If an Early Decision application is complete by November 15, the student will receive an answer from SU by December 1 of senior year. An ED application that is ready to be considered between November 15 and January 1 will be reviewed by January 15.

Admitted ED students will be notified if eligible for scholarships and/or financial aid before their enrollment deposit is due on February 15. ED applicants who are not accepted during the ED process are reconsidered for admission with the regular decision candidates.

Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY
Frank Esson, Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 315-443-3846
Email: fnesson@syr.edu
Web Site: http://admissions.syr.edu/adminfinaid/enrollmentoptions.html

Syracuse University offers Early Decision
Application Deadline: 11/15/05
College Notification Date: late December

EA/ED Policy: As an Early Decision candidate, you agree to enroll at Syracuse University if admitted to your preferred college. You may apply to other colleges and universities with the understanding that you will withdraw these applications if you are admitted to Syracuse University. If you are applying for financial aid, you will also receive an early, estimated financial aid award package.

Completed applications must be postmarked by November 15. Early decision applicants have until November 15 to complete their respective portfolio reviews or auditions for both the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Architecture. Notifications of admission are sent beginning in mid-December. Early Decision candidates must respond with a postmark no later than February 15 or their admission will be withdrawn. While Early Decision is binding, financial considerations may affect a student's ability to enroll.

Union College - Schenectady, NY
Hector Leon, Associate Dean of Admissions
Phone: 518-388-6582
Email: leonh@union.edu
Web Site: www.union.edu/Admissions/Applying/TypesOfAdmission/Early.php

Union College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15th
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: After considering your college options, and perhaps having visited the campus and/or interviewing, you may decide that Union is your first choice. In that case, you should consider an Early Decision application.

Early Decision applications are considered at two times during the year. For Early Decision I, the application and credentials are due by Nov. 15 and decision letters are mailed by Dec. 15; for Early Decision II, the application and credentials must arrive by Jan. 15 and the decision letters will be mailed by Feb. 1. Students applying under Early Decision have made a commitment to come to Union if admitted.

If you are not admitted under the Early Decision plan, your application may be transferred to the regular applicant group, or you may be denied.

Early Decision applicants are favored in the admissions process.

University of Richmond - Richmond, VA
Steve Wilborn, Sr. Associate Director of Admission
Phone: 800-700-1662
Email: admissions@richmond.edu
Web Site: www.richmond.edu/prospective/

University of Richmond offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15/January 15
College Notification Date: December 15/February 15

EA/ED Policy: University of Richmond offers two early decision dates.  Both are binding.  Applicants may also apply for need-based assistance at the time of early decision application to receive an estimate of the financial aid packet at the same time of the early decision acceptance. The University's financial aid policy is to meet 100% of a family's financial aid eligibility, based on the FAFSA and Supplemental Financial Aid forms.

University of San Diego - San Diego, CA
Connor Keese, Admissions Counselor
Phone: (619) 260-4506
Email: ckeese@sandiego.edu
Web Site: www.sandiego.edu/admissions/undergraduate/applying.php

University of San Diego offers Early Action
Application Deadline: November 15, 2005
College Notification Date: January 1, 2006-January 31, 2006

EA/ED Policy: Applying Early Action to the University of San Diego is non-binding. Admitted students have until the national deadline of May 1, 2006 to make their decision.

University of Scranton – Scranton, PA
Stacey Urgento, Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 1-888-SCRANTON
Email: urgentos2@scranton.edu
Web Site: www.scranton.edu/apply

University of Scranton offers Early Action
Early Action Application Deadline: November 15
College Notification Date: December 15

EA/ED Policy: Early Action is non-binding. Students still have until May 1 to decide if they want to enroll at The University of Scranton.

University of Vermont - Burlington, VT
Sonya Ohlsson, Assistant Director of Admission
Phone: 802-656-8618
Email: sohlsson@uvm.edu
Web Site: www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/?Page=apply_undergrad.html#deadlines

University of Vermont offers Early Action
Early Application Deadline: November 1
College Notification Date: December 20 or earlier

EA/ED Policy: The University of Vermont seeks students who demonstrate strong academic ability as well as possess talents and personal character that will enrich our university community. Here are indicators we use in evaluating first-year applicant's candidacy for admission:

- High school performance (rigor of course work, class rank, cumulative grade-point average and/or grade distribution)
- Personal qualities and experiences, activities, honors and awards, and special interests
- SAT I or ACT scores
- Writing ability as presented in application essays
- Recommendations from teachers, counselors, employers or others

Students who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) courses may be eligible for UVM credit; Advanced Placement credit guidelines are available.

Entrance Requirements
The following are minimum entrance requirements. Most applicants complete course work beyond the minimum, often at the honors or Advanced Placement level. Please see additional requirements below for specific areas of study.

Minimum Entrance Requirements
- Four years of English
- Three years of mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry)
- Two years of the same foreign language (American Sign Language meets this requirement)
- Two years of science, including a laboratory science
- Three years of social sciences

Course work not completed at the high school level may be fulfilled by equivalent college-level academic work. In general, one semester of college work is considered equal to one year of high school study. Any exceptions to these requirements are made on a case-by-case basis.

All applicants apply to one of our seven undergraduate schools and colleges according to the selected major.

The regular deadline is January 15, with a notification dat of March 15.  The Early Action deadline, the ability to apply early and be notified early, is November 1.  You will be notified mid- to late December.  You have until May 1 to make your decision, just as the regular deadline applicants do.

For more information about applying to the University of Vermont, please go to: www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/?Page=apply_undergrad.html

Whitman College - Walla Walla, WA
Lori Hunt, Assistant Director of Admission
Phone: 509-527-5176
Email: huntlo@whitman.edu
Web Site: www.whitman.edu/content/admission/apply-to-whitman

Whitman College offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: November 15th and January 1
College Notification Date: December 15th and January 23

EA/ED Policy: If Whitman is your first-choice college and you plan to enroll if you are admitted, then our Early Decision application options are designed for you. We take this commitment seriously and expect that you will also. The agreement states that Whitman is your first-choice college, and, if admitted, you will attend Whitman-contingent upon receipt of an acceptable financial aid award-and withdraw all applications pending elsewhere. Please request an Early Decision candidate's Agreement form for more details.