The Use and Abuse of Early Decision in College Admissions

The Use and Abuse of Early Decision explains the early decision admissions process and analyzes its use in college admissions in 2024–25. It documents a growing tendency of highly selective colleges and universities to enroll larger portions of their freshman class through early decision, which puts students from low- and moderate income households at a disadvantage given the higher rates of admission for early decision. Finally, it raises an alarm that this disadvantage could grow even worse this year, as political and financial pressures from the White House will likely create incentives for admissions offices to rely even more heavily on what is in practice an unfair admissions practice.

Use and Abuse of Early Decision.

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