A college or
university which has an early decision option is one that allows highly qualified students to apply and recieve an answer well before those who apply at the regular date. Anyone can apply early decision; in fact, more and more
students are doing so. This, of course, makes it more difficult to get in even at such an early time.
Early decision has always been popular, as it boosts one's chances of being accepted considerably. This is because, if one is accepted early decision, then one is
legally bound to
drop out of all other schools one may be applying to. It is essentially
guaranteeing the college what they are after-
money, in the form of your
tuition fees.
Because of the risk of
litigation, most students will only apply early decision to their top choice school, and if they are absolutely certain they would like to attend there. One may apply early decision to only a single college, but with the rise in competition and pressures from the highly
prosperous baby boomer generation, many students apply early decision to a college
more out of fear than certainty.
Compare with
early action.