Early Admission Options at Bryant
Bryant offers several options to apply for admission, and we’d like to make sure that you understand each of the options and help you decide which one is right for you. Early applications are accepted under Early Decision I, Early Action, and Early Decision II programs.
Students whose clear first choice is Bryant are encouraged to apply under either our Early Decision I or Early Decision II programs.
What is Early Decision?
Basically, when you apply Early Decision (I or II), you believe that Bryant is the perfect match for you and you are making a commitment to us. We take that commitment very seriously and when we review an Early Decision application, the committee is looking to see if we agree that you are a good match for Bryant. If we do, you will be admitted. It’s that simple. No games. No competing with the overall applicant pool. It’s just you and Bryant - if it’s a good match, it’s a done deal.
Because of this, the acceptance rate for students applying Early Decision is slightly higher than our acceptance rate for Regular Decision applicants. About 65% of Early Decision applicants are admitted and about 45% of Regular Decision applicants are admitted. The applicant pool for Early Decision is smaller and we are not looking to fill the freshman class with Early Decision students, rather we are looking for those students who love Bryant, want to be a part of our community, and who are academically qualified.
Early Decision I and II are binding. The deadline for Early Decision I is November 16, 2009 with notification (by mail) by December 16, 2009. The Early Decision II deadline is January 4, 2010 with notification (by mail) by February 4, 2010. If admitted under the Early Decision program you agree to withdraw all other applications to other schools and enroll at Bryant. The enrollment deposit deadline for Early Decision 1 is January 8, 2010 and the deadline for Early Decision II is February 26, 2010. Please note that the deposit is $800 and is non-refundable.
Read profiles of five students who applied Early Decision to Bryant
What is Early Action?
Early Action (EA) is a non-binding application option in which you will receive your admission decision earlier in the process. Along with your decision letter, you may also receive scholarship notification (if applicable), however you will receive your need-based financial aid package mid-March, once the FAFSA has been processed. Admitted students not initially awarded a merit scholarship in their decision letter in mid-January may be awarded a merit scholarship during a second review process in March.
We encourage students to apply Early Action if Bryant is one of your top choices. The admission criteria are the same for EA and Regular Decision, so the likelihood of being admitted EA and Regular Decision is the same. The advantage of applying EA is that you will know by mid-January if you have been admitted to Bryant.
Bryant’s Early Action deadline is December 1, with notification (by mail) by mid-January. Under this non-binding process, you will have until May 1 to submit the enrollment deposit.
Which option is right for you?
There is a lot of information circulating about Early Decision and Early Action, and it’s important to understand the facts from fiction. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Early Decision and Early Action to help you determine which program is right for you.
· Are financial aid and scholarships available to Early Decision students?
Yes. Students will receive financial aid and scholarship information with their admission decision. Both are awarded using the same criteria that is used for Regular Decision, so packages are consistent regardless of how a student applies.
Early Decision applicants are encouraged to complete the Estimated Financial Aid form and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid. They use that information to put together an estimated financial aid package. Accepted students should then file the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15, and we will finalize the aid package for you.
Merit-based scholarships at Bryant range from $8,000- $25,000 and are renewable for four years, provided the student meets the academic criteria required. Scholarship notification is given in the acceptance letter.
· What are the possible admission decisions with Early Decision?
Applications can be accepted, deferred to the regular admission pool, or denied. If an application is deferred, it simply means that we would like to see additional information from the applicant, including grades, before making a final decision. If your application is deferred, you are released from the binding nature of Early Decision. It is important to note that when we review your application again after receiving the requested information, we will still consider Bryant as your number one choice. Applications deferred under either the Early Decision I or Early Decision II programs will be deferred to the Regular Decision pool.
Bryant does deny applications under both Early Decision programs. If the admission committee feels that an application is not going to be competitive in either the Early Decision or Regular Decision pools, we will give a final decision of deny. Although it is a difficult decision for us to make, we believe that it is better to give you an answer up front so that you have the time to explore other options, and perhaps consider transferring to Bryant.
· What is the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?
Timing is the biggest difference between the two options. Maybe you researched and visited several colleges over the summer and are certain by November 16 that Bryant is where you want to be. Then Early Decision I may be the best option for you.
The Early Decision II option gives you a little more time to complete your college search and think about whether you want to apply Early Decision to your top choice school. Sometimes, students aren't ready to apply Early Decision in November, but realize in December that it's an option they would like to pursue. Early Decision II at Bryant allows you to do that!
Choosing to apply Early Decision to any school is a big decision, so take your time, consider your options, and decide which program at Bryant - Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action or Regular Decision - is best for you!
· If I'm accepted Early Decision, does the rest of my senior year matter?
YES! Bryant requires a final transcript from all incoming students, and we do notice if there is a significant drop in your level of achievement, and take appropriate action. It's really best to continue to do well throughout the remainder of your senior year. You'll be proud of your success and ready to move on seamlessly to your college experience.
- If I apply Early Action, when will I get my financial aid package?
Early Action candidates that have filed the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15 will receive a need-based financial aid package mid-March. Merit scholarship awards may come an acceptance letter in mid-January or may be awarded later in the process after a second review.
- What are the possible admission decisions with Early Action?
Applications can be accepted, deferred to the regular decision pool for re-evaluation, or denied.
- Am I more or less likely to receive a scholarship and need-based financial aid if I apply Early Action?
No. There is no benefit or hindrance to being awarded a merit scholarship or need-based financial aid by applying Early Action. Close to 90% of Bryant students receive some combination of merit scholarship and need-based financial aid.
- Is it “easier” to be admitted by applying Early Action?
No. Bryant’s application review process is individualized and comprehensive. We look at many factors when reviewing an application, including transcript, high school courses, recommendations, extracurricular activities, essay, and SAT/ACT scores. The same evaluation process is used in both Early Action and Regular Decision. The only difference is that Regular Decision applicants have the benefit of sending both first quarter grades and mid-year grades from senior year, while Early Action applicants are only able to submit first quarter senior grades. A good rule of thumb is to submit your application when you feel it is the most complete and an accurate reflection of your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
