Ella Kitchens, Editor-in-Chief
Each year, prospective Denison students are able to choose between two application options: early decision (ED) and regular decision (RD).
In regular decision admissions, with applications due on Jan. 15, students can apply to a number of different colleges. Regular decision is not binding, meaning that students can choose whether or not to commit to Denison after admission decisions are released.
On the other hand, early decision is a binding option, meaning that it is best for students who know Denison is their top choice school. Students who apply early decision are committed to enrolling upon admission and have to withdraw any other applications.
There are two rounds of early decision, one due Nov. 15 and the other due Jan. 15. This gives early decision applicants the opportunity to enroll earlier than a regular decision applicant.
The class of 2030 overall had approximately 12,540 applicants with about a 22% admission rate. From the regular decision pool, there were approximately 11,002 applicants and about a 21% admission rate. From early decision, there were 1,538 applicants and a 27% admission rate.
While the admissions rate for early decision is higher than regular decision, Meghan Huston Ulsh, vice president for enrollment management, said that “the evaluative considerations used don’t change across decision rounds.”
“At Denison, we apply the same evaluative framework to every applicant regardless of when they apply,” said Ulsh via email. “It is also worth noting that the pool for regular decision is still much larger than for early decision – only about 10% of all applications received are early decision applications.”
According to Ulsh, students are evaluated by the same standards in early and regular decision, financial aid is calculated based on the same methodology, and students from all financial backgrounds are able to participate in early decision admissions “without taking on unacceptable risk.”
The topic of early decision and financial aid has emerged in the news with a lawsuit against 32 colleges, alleging that they use early decision to reduce competition and lower the amount of financial aid for students. The lawsuit claims that early decision at those colleges perpetuates inequality because, unlike regular decision applicants, students who apply early decision cannot compare financial aid offers with other colleges to which they have been accepted.
According to Ulsh, Denison aims to combat this through addressing financial need with students considering early decision before they even apply.
“We provide early financial aid estimates to any student considering ED so that families can make an informed decision before proceeding,” said Ulsh. “We recognize that ED raises questions for students with financial need because they are potentially making final decisions before they can compare financial aid offers.”
Ulsh said that Denison addresses these questions through its financial early-read process.
“We don’t want any student to rule out ED simply because of a lack of financial clarity,” said Ulsh.
In addition, merit-based scholarships are awarded during both early and regular decision.
“Many of our most competitive merit scholarships are awarded during the early decision rounds because a significant number of our strongest applicants apply in those rounds,” said Ulsh. “However, both merit- and need-based aid are awarded in every decision round.”
Early decision indicates a commitment to Denison that boosts a student’s level of demonstrated interest in the university. Demonstrated interest is a factor Denison considers during its admissions process, and early decision can be a way for students to show that interest and commitment.
“Students applying early decision often have carefully researched Denison and are declaring that we are their first-choice college,” said Ulsh. “This is a high demonstration of interest. In a competitive enrollment environment, that level of commitment can help us better understand which students are most likely to enroll and fully engage in the community.”
However, early decision is not the only way for students to express demonstrated interest in Denison.
“We strive to make these opportunities accessible through both in-person and virtual options, as well as through programs like our fall fly-in, which help students visit campus regardless of financial circumstances,” said Ulsh.
Early decision admissions also provide Denison with “a clearer sense of enrollment to ensure we are fully utilizing residential space.”
“As a four-year residential campus that emphasizes relationships and connection, it’s important that we take full advantage of our residential capacity so that we’re able to deliver the best possible student experience,” said Ulsh. “Early Decision allows us to identify a portion of our incoming class earlier, which supports planning for housing and program staffing.”
However, Ulsh emphasized that this benefit to the university was not the primary driver for early decision admissions at Denison.
“We want to serve students who have decisively chosen Denison as their clear first choice and want greater certainty of an early answer,” said Ulsh.
Ulsh said that Denison has been seeing an increase in students applying early decision, reflecting a larger national trend.
“For students who have identified a first-choice institution, applying ED can help them complete the college search process earlier and with greater certainty,” said Ulsh. “We have been proud of the long-term growth of our early decision applicants, as it shows that more students are choosing Denison as their first choice and feel comfortable doing so.”