What does 'early evaluation' mean for Wellesley College applicants?

I came across 'early evaluation' as an admission option at Wellesley College. Can someone explain what this entails, how it's different from early decision and early action, and whether it's a good choice?

Certainly, 'early evaluation' is a unique admission option provided by Wellesley College. It's neither Early Decision (ED) nor Early Action (EA), but more like a non-binding, informal early notification.

Students who apply for early evaluation will get a preliminary assessment of their admission application by mid-February. You'll receive one of three responses: a strong likelihood of admission, more likely than not, or unlikely. However, this is an informal decision and the final admission decision will come with the regular decision notifications in late March or early April. So, you'll still need to wait for the final decision.

This option gives you an idea of how your application is being received before the final decisions are made. Note that it doesn't offer an acceptance like ED and EA, nor does it require a commitment to attend like ED.

As to whether it's a good choice, it can be a good strategy for students who are especially interested in Wellesley and want to gauge their chances of acceptance earlier. Additionally, for those who might need a good back-up plan or might need more time to decide if Wellesley is the right fit but want some hint of their application outcome, 'early evaluation' can be beneficial.

Just remember that the decision is non-binding and does not guarantee or deny admission. It's merely an initial evaluation. You'll still need to complete all the required steps for the regular decision-making process.