Early Decisions Applications Triple, Despite Enrollment Drop
Adina Brizel
Issue date: 12/21/09 Section: News
Last year, 31 high school students agreed to come to Yeshiva University if accepted, no matter which other colleges granted them admission. These students, only 15 of whom-seven men and eight women-were accepted, were applicants to YU's Early Decision program. Early Decision, which is only open to Honors Program applicants, requires that students apply and commit to attending the school (and participating in its Honors Program) prior to the regular admissions deadline. The program was initiated last year to "allow students who are committed to YU the chance to express that commitment and to be allowed to complete their college application process in the fall," according to Murray Sragow, associate director of undergraduate admissions.
This year there were 95 applicants-57 men and 38 women-who applied Early Decision. YU's decision to continue the program goes against a growing national trend at America's elite universities. Among the schools that have dropped their early decision programs are Harvard, Stanford and the University of Virginia. However, "at this point, the program [at YU] has been extremely successful," Sragow says comfortably.
While fewer students applied to YU this past year, the number of Early Decision applications tripled. In addition to knowing they are guaranteed a spot at YU, Early Decision students receive a full tuition scholarship. This scholarship waives the student's requirement to pay the annual $31,594 tuition fee. Sragow believes that this growth will continue, based on the attendance of 32 potential students in this year's Early Decision Honors Days (at which interviews are conducted). Last year, approximately 16 people participated.
This year there were 95 applicants-57 men and 38 women-who applied Early Decision. YU's decision to continue the program goes against a growing national trend at America's elite universities. Among the schools that have dropped their early decision programs are Harvard, Stanford and the University of Virginia. However, "at this point, the program [at YU] has been extremely successful," Sragow says comfortably.
While fewer students applied to YU this past year, the number of Early Decision applications tripled. In addition to knowing they are guaranteed a spot at YU, Early Decision students receive a full tuition scholarship. This scholarship waives the student's requirement to pay the annual $31,594 tuition fee. Sragow believes that this growth will continue, based on the attendance of 32 potential students in this year's Early Decision Honors Days (at which interviews are conducted). Last year, approximately 16 people participated.
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