How to improve the odds of getting into the college you want

It’s the most stressful time of year for high school seniors who are filling out their college applications and writing their personal essays.

Every year, it gets more competitive and difficult for them to get into their first-choice schools with many universities boasting single-digit admission rates.

But there’s one application strategy that can double or triple a kid’s odds of acceptance and it’s often overlooked: early decision.

College Admissions expert Steve Cohen says applying early decision is one of the biggest advantages students can give themselves for getting into a top university. For example, the University of Pennsylvania accepted 11 percent of kids who applied under the regular deadline, but more than 34 percent who applied early. Northwestern took 26 percent of the regular pool, but 39 percent of the early candidates.

“The student has to make a decision where he or she really wants to go and then sign a contract that says, ‘if accepted, I will go there,'” Cohen explains. “In turn, the college says, ‘alright, you apply early and commit to us, and we’ll give you a spot and let you know way before the traditional April acceptance letters go out.'”

But early decision only makes sense for certain students. Cohen says the school cannot be a “reach school,” so if your GPA and test scores are lower than the average of those admitted by the university, or if you aren’t a recruited athlete, you shouldn’t apply early.

Cohen says the most selective schools want to feel loved by exceptional students who are in what he calls their “sweet spot.”

“Admissions officers want to fill a certain portion of their class, anywhere from 25 to 40 percent, through early decision, because then they don’t have to worry later in May, if the kid who’s been accepted to three schools will choose it or its competitor school,” Cohen says.

The early decision applicant has to offer more than just the right grades and test scores. To increase the chances of admission, you need to show how you’re unique and how the school can use your special talents. Believe it or not, he says good colleges are not always looking for well-rounded kids. Instead, they’re looking for a “well-rounded class.”

“Think about that for a second. That means they need a few scholars for every single department, a few athletes for each team, they need kids for the newspaper, for the theater program, and they need some wealthy kids whose parents are known as development prospects who can build a new library,” he says.

Cohen also warns against early decision if a student isn’t absolutely sure the school is their number one choice. Once you’re accepted, that is where you’ll be going.

Many parents worry that applying early will hurt their child’s ability to get financial aid, but he says that is not the case.

“First of all, there’s more money available if you apply early, so they’re not going to be terribly stingy,” he says. “If they want you badly enough and accept you early decision, they’ll make sure you can attend. You’ll get what the school can offer.”

Cohen admits the college admission process is tougher than ever and probably more anxiety-producing for the parents of the students trying to get into these competitive schools.

“Happily, the good news is, it’s only a year or a year and a half of one’s life, and then once the stress is over, it’s over…until the next kid.”

For most schools with early decision, the deadline is November 1.