With November 1 deadlines fast approaching, VHS seniors are in a frenzy of college applications. Early Action, Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision. All of these deadlines leave students with hundreds of questions, one of which being, is Early Decision a good choice for college acceptance?

Early decision is a binding plan for admission offered to students. This means that if you are accepted, you legally have to attend that institution.

By applying early decision, students are alerted early of their admission decision and they have a higher chance of acceptance than they would at the regular decision deadline. Last year, Northwestern University accepted 54 percent of its freshman class through the early decision plan.

Then comes in the question regarding financial aid. You legally have to attend the school if you accepted, regardless of the financial aid or merit aid package you are offered.

VHS senior Julia Mackey said, “Early decision is just too permanent. A lot can change in the eight months between when you apply and decision day (on May 1). Regular decision gives you the time to weigh all your options.”

Fellow senior Kelly Esposito agrees, pointing out that, “It’s not the smartest thing to do unless you are absolutely certain you belong at that school, and as long as you’re able to afford it without scholarships and aid. I feel like the school knows that since you are already going to attend there, there is no point in giving you more money.”

Thousands of American teens follow the Early Decision route to attend college each year, but VHS seniors seem to think it’s just too risky.