Are You Making These Costly Early Decision Mistakes?
Many families believe that an Early Decision strategy is the best way to secure their child’s spot at a dream college. At first glance, the statistics seem promising:
- Higher acceptance rates for Early Decision applicants
- Colleges track demonstrated interest when reviewing applications
- The ability to commit early and reduce admissions stress
However, without the right Early Decision strategy, students often miss out on top choices. Many families unknowingly sabotage their child’s chances by following outdated advice or making critical mistakes.
We’ll break down five essential strategies to maximize Early Decision success.
How Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest in Early Decision Strategy
Many parents assume that attending a campus tour or information session is enough to show interest. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Colleges track much more than that. For example, they monitor:
- How long a student spends on their website (down to specific pages)
- Whether they open and click on college emails
- If they attend online info sessions or interact on social media
Incognito mode will not hide these interactions. Admissions offices use advanced tracking tools to assess genuine interest.
What to Do Instead:
- Encourage your child to email an admissions officer with a thoughtful question.
- Make sure they engage with the school’s online content without overdoing it.
- Register for and attend virtual events to signal genuine interest.
Why Depth, Not Breadth, Strengthens Your Early Decision Strategy
A common misconception is that being involved in multiple clubs makes a student look impressive. In reality, this can hurt their Early Decision chances.
Colleges prefer students with a clear “spike”—a deep passion or achievement in one area—over someone who is just “okay” at everything.
For example:
- A student who publishes research on climate science
- Someone who launches a nonprofit or business
- An athlete who competes at a national level
A student who dabbles in multiple activities without depth may not stand out.
What to Do Instead:
- Focus on one or two key areas where they can demonstrate significant achievement and impact.
- Prioritize leadership roles or self-driven projects over general club participation.
How Summer Plans Impact Your Early Decision Strategy
Many families believe that attending an expensive summer program at a prestigious university will give their child a competitive edge. However, that’s not always true.
Admissions officers know that many of these programs are pay-to-play, meaning they do not necessarily reflect a student’s abilities or interests.
Instead, colleges are far more impressed by:
- Competitive, merit-based summer programs
- Internships, research, or self-driven projects
- Community leadership initiatives that show real impact
What to Do Instead:
- Look for selective programs that require applications, not just payment.
- Encourage independent projects aligned with a student’s interests.
The “Why This School?” Essay and Its Role in Early Decision Strategy
The “Why This School?” essay is one of the most misunderstood parts of the application. Most students write generic responses that could apply to any college.
Admissions officers are looking for:
- Specific academic programs, professors, or research opportunities
- A clear fit between the student’s interests and the school’s values
- Proof that the student has done in-depth research on the school
What to Do Instead:
- Research specific faculty members, courses, and programs at the school.
- Show how your child’s unique background and goals align with the university.
Course Selection Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Early Decision Strategy
Many students assume that taking as many AP classes as possible will impress admissions officers. However, that’s not necessarily true.
The Mistake:
- Loading up on APs that don’t align with their intended major
The Winning Strategy:
- Taking rigorous courses relevant to their field
For instance, a future engineering major taking AP Physics is much more impressive than taking AP English Literature as their fifth AP.
What to Do Instead:
- Prioritize AP and honors courses that match their intended college major.
- Avoid overloading on APs at the cost of GPA or extracurricular excellence.
Avoid These Costly Early Decision Strategy Mistakes
Most families don’t realize how much strategy happens before the application is submitted.
The best Early Decision candidates are not just applying early. Instead, they have been strategically positioning themselves for months—or even years.
If you want expert guidance on making Early Decision work for your child, don’t wait.
Book your session now before spots disappear.
