Does applying Early Action as opposed to Regular Decision make a difference?

cptofthehouse
Thu, 01 Aug 2013 21:34:30 +0000

It could at some schools, in some situations. But it would also be important to have all of your financial aid information ready to go as well. Some financial aid is limited and is distributed on a first come first serve basis, and no more when all gone.

Most schools in this country do not meet full need for most students. In fact, very, very few schools do, and those that do tend to define then need themselves. So there is simply not enough aid to go around. The earlier your package can be processed, the more aid there is to distribute is the bottom line. But some schools will hold off on fin aid packages for EA students until the RD apps are processed. It’s not a uniform policy for all schools.

Merit money is usually distributed by the admissions office, not financial aid, though, again it’s up to the school. Usually it is given to the candidates the college most wants to have. Usually high test scores are what they want. But, it is possible other issues are taken into account too.