Brandeis will continue early decision program

Released on September 14, 2006
Contact: Carrie Simmons, 781-736-4224

Brandeis will continue early decision program
Daily News Tribune
By Christopher Rocchio
Thursday, September 14, 2006

WALTHAM -- Brandeis University has no intentions of eliminating its "early decision" program for incoming students, according to Dean of Admissions Gil Villaneuva.

Harvard University announced earlier this week that it would end its early action admissions program starting next year. Previously, early action at Harvard allowed high school students to apply to the university by Nov. 1 of their senior year and receive a decision by Dec. 15.

"Harvard had early action, which simply meant students could apply early and learn a non-binding decision sooner,"Villaneuva said. "Brandeis has early decision, which is a binding agreement between the applicant and the university."

Villaneuva said if a student is admitted to attend Brandeis through early decision, they are expected to withdraw applications from other universities or colleges.

Early decision is a common practice that has been used for a while now, according to Villaneuva, but he said it is not something the university tries to push on students interested in attending Brandeis. Last year, he said approximately 7,600 high-school students applied to Brandeis, and only 250 did so through early decision.

"Early decision lets us know the applicant really wants to be here," he said. "We're delighted that they're keen on Brandeis, and if they wish to be accepted early, we let them know."

Bentley currently offers both early decision and early action to incoming students, according to the college's admissions office. Bentley officials could not be reached for comment.