More students than ever applied to the University through early decision last semester, amid growing controversy over the merits of early decision in the college admissions process.
The University received 2,413 early applications for next year's first-year class, 13 percent more than in 2000. According to Dean of Admissions John Blackburn, this year's increase in early applicants follows a national 10-year trend toward more early applications at top universities.
Applying early decision allows students to declare to a college that it is their first choice usually increasing their chances of admission. "There are some students who know that this is where they want to go to college," Blackburn said in describing the benefits of early decision.
Though some schools offer non-binding "early action," others, including the University, require that students promise to attend if accepted.
The increase in early decision applications has caused increased controversy over its role in the college application process. Some officials at universities said they believe early decision should not be allowed.
Yale University President Richard Levin recently voiced opposition to early decision.
"Early decision forces students to decide too early where they want to go to college," Yale spokesman Tom Conroy said, describing Levin's position.
Another criticism of early decision is that it tends to put students who need financial aid at a disadvantage.
"Students applying for need-based aid do not generally apply early decision," Blackburn said.
Cash-strapped students are less likely to apply early because they hope to compare various aid packages before deciding what school to attend.
Rather than applying early, "many students will hold off to wait for a better package," said Valerie Gregory, director of the Outreach Office within the Office of Admissions.
Gregory noted that students who need help paying for school can only get an estimate, not a guarantee, of financial assistance from the University.
This uncertainty discourages students seeking need-based aid from applying early decision.
Gregory suggested that the system could be tweaked to be more favorable to students seeking financial aid without ending early decision.
Just because students in need of financial aid do not often apply early decision does not necessarily mean such students are disadvantaged by the current system, Blackburn said.
Early and regular applicants are not treated differently from one another, he said.
"We try to make it the same level of selectivity," Blackburn added.
Despite the widespread debate, most officials at universities nationwide doubt that early decision will be done away with anytime soon.
"What [Yale] President Levin wanted to do is start a dialogue about it," Conroy said.
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