Early Decision/Early Action FAQ
Who should apply Early Decision 1?
Students who identify Colorado College as their top choice college prior to November 15 are encouraged to apply Early Decision 1. If admitted, students are expected to enroll and immediately withdraw all other applications.
Who should apply Early Decision 2?
Students who identify Colorado College as their top choice college after November 15 but before January 1 are encouraged to apply Early Decision 2. Furthermore, students who would be more competitive in our process after submitting fall semester grades and/or additional test scores should apply Early Decision 2. If admitted, students are expected to enroll and immediately withdraw all other applications.
Who should apply Early Action?
Students who identify Colorado College as one of their top choice colleges by November 15 should consider applying Early Action. If admitted, students still have until May 1 to compare offers and respond.
What about need-based financial aid for Early Decision and Early Action students?
Early applicants who are applying for need-based financial aid must submit the following documents on or before the admission application due date:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
- College Board CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
- Noncustodial Parent PROFILE (if applicable)
- Signed copies of parents' and student's prior year Federal Income Tax returns (include all pages, schedules, and forms)
- Parents' and student's prior year W-2 forms
Non-U.S. Citizens
Please see the Financial Aid Priority Dates and Timeline page for detailed information.
If students demonstrate eligibility for financial aid, they will receive an estimated award with their admission decision letter. Early Decision admits will be expected to commit based on our estimated award. All students will receive a final award once they submit the FAFSA and tax forms at a later date.
Should I apply Early Decision if I am concerned about financial aid?
We encourage all students and parents to be informed about our admission and financial aid policies. Given that Early Decision involves a binding contract, students considering this option who are interested in applying for need-based financial aid should, before applying for admission, use our Net Price Calculator, a tool which gives students an early indication of the amounts and types of financial aid for which they might qualify. If you or your parents have concerns about affordability after reviewing these estimates and/or talking with our financial aid office, we recommend that you consider applying Early Action or Regular Decision (and not Early Decision).
What if I am admitted Early Decision but have concerns about my eligibility for financial aid?
All students who complete the College Board CSS Financial Aid PROFILE on time will receive a decision regarding their eligibility for financial aid. While the financial aid office is willing to discuss individual awards with a student or parent/guardian, our policy is to gather information and explain our methodology rather than to negotiate awards. If an Early Decision admit does not deposit by the candidate’s reply date (January 10 for ED I and February 10 for ED II), the vice president for enrollment will make the decision to grant an extension or close out a student’s file.
Will Early Decision applicants receive preferential treatment in the admission process?
Our evaluation criteria will be the same for Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Action. However, the admission committee will note that Early Decision applicants have selected Colorado College as their top-choice college. For students who are clearly competitive in the applicant pool, we anticipate that Early Decision applicants will be admitted in slightly higher percentages than Early Action or Regular Action applicants.
Will Early Decision applicants receive preferential treatment for financial aid?
Our financial aid methodology will remain the same for all applicants. Financial aid applicants are encouraged to check out the financial aid calculators at collegeboard.com.
What about merit scholarships?
With few exceptions, the merit scholarship selection process will take place in February and March. All admitted students, including those admitted under Early Action or Early Decision 1 and 2, will be considered for merit scholarships. Early Decision or Early Action admits will not be disadvantaged in this process.
If I am not admitted under Early Action or Early Decision, will my file be reviewed at later date?
The admission committee will choose to admit, defer, or deny applicants if they choose to apply Early Action or Early Decision. Deferred applicants will be reviewed in our Regular Action pool and will either be admitted or denied in March. Students denied admission will not be reviewed again during that application cycle. All admission decisions are final, and there is no appeal process at Colorado College.
Will Early Action or Early Decision applicants be considered for our Winter Start Program?
If a student has strong interest in our Winter Start Program, they are encouraged to indicate their intent at the time they submit their application. Generally speaking, most offers of admission for our Winter Start Program will be made in March.