Regular Decision for College Athletes

Are college athletes better off applying through regular decision or early decision? I'm an athlete and trying to figure out which is the best route to take.

As an athlete, your recruitment process can play a significant role in when you submit your application. Coaches often begin the recruiting process well before the regular decision deadline and some athletes may even receive a pre-read of their application during the summer.

If a coach is heavily recruiting you, they may encourage you to apply for Early Decision (ED) because it communicates a strong commitment on your part to attend the school if admitted, which is assuring for both the coach and the school. Keep in mind, however, that applying ED is a binding agreement. If you are admitted, you are expected to enroll at that school and withdraw any applications submitted to other schools. So, it's only advisable to apply for ED if the school tops your list and is affordable for your family based on your net price calculator estimate.

Regular Decision (RD), on the other hand, gives you more flexibility. You would receive all your acceptances and financial aid packages (if applicable) around the same time and then have until May 1 to make a decision. This might be beneficial if you're considering multiple schools or if affordability is a significant concern for your family.

Remember, each athlete's recruitment process can look slightly different depending on the sport, the division, and the specific school, so these are general guidelines rather than hard-and-fast rules.

Another point to consider is the academic fit of the school besides athletics. Coaches may change, and injuries may happen, so be sure you are happy on the academic side as well.

In any case, it's crucial to maintain a clear line of communication with your potential coaches about this decision, as they can provide insight into how their specific program manages the recruitment process about different application timelines. And remember to focus just as much on the academic aspect when making your final decision, for your future after your athletic career.