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The Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are a busy time for US admissions teams and prospective applicants alike.
But while the admission requirements of ED and EA are probably very well known by domestic applicants, it can be a different story for international applicants. In fact, for many international students using BridgeU’s platform, the early application process in the USA can be a bit of a black box.
For example, this week, BridgeU international school students will be submitting their Early Decision and Early Action applications through our guidance platform. And our Customer Success team gets first-hand insights of some of the questions asked and problems encountered by international school students in the ED and EA process.
So in this blog post, we’ll be exploring some of the key challenges that international students face during the ED and EA process, and how US universities can better optimise their international enrolment process to support best-fit applicants.
Specifically we’ll discuss
The competing demands of different international application systems throw up another obstacle for your international applicants – understanding the lingo and terminology of the US application system.
What exactly is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? What does a ‘binding’ offer mean when students are considering submitting applications to other countries? How are students options limited by applying early?
Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are hallmarks of a US application process which, compared to some of its international counterparts, is unique in the number of different milestones and terminology.
It helps international school counsellors, students and parents to have ‘jargon busting’ content that can help students make sense of things like
This jargon busting content could take the form of a handout or resource sheet you share with counsellors on recruitment trips, or even a section of your website.
Let’s start with a key stat. In our most recent analysis of BridgeU international students’ applications to the USA, we found that 25% of US international applicants apply to 2 or more countries and 21% of international applicants apply to three or more countries.
This points to the fact that many US institutions are competing heavily with their counterparts in other countries.
Our quantitative data chimes with anecdotal insights we receive from our counsellors working in schools that send applicants to the USA.
To learn more about how investing in international schools can help you build a smarter, more targeted undergraduate enrolment strategy, download our latest ebook.
For example, one of our BridgeU counsellors working in Beijing told that it’s common for international students to apply to university multiple countries so as to ‘spread’ the risk of potential rejections.
This counsellor is one of several to tell us that students will submit at least 1 ED or EA application as part of their wider shortlist of prospective universities.
The problem? ED and EA deadlines are often quite fragmented, with different US universities posting different ED deadlines. Counsellors also face the challenge of telling the difference between ED1 and ED2 deadlines, as these also differ from institution to institution.
As if this wasn’t difficult enough, students and counsellors must keep track of these deadlines alongside those in the UK, Canada and Australia.
International admissions teams therefore need to be mindful that their application deadlines don’t exist in a void. The question of whether to apply early or not forms part of a wider international application strategy for globally mobile students in BridgeU schools.
In a recent interview, BridgeU counsellor Ellen Johnston advised US reps to signpost Early Decision and Early Action deadlines during an applicant’s’ junior year. So if you’re planning any recruitment trips or outreach in spring 2024, think about how you can start having the conversation about early application requirements with your 2025 applicants now!
Many of the US higher ed institutions that BridgeU works with use our Enhanced Profile feature to list all of their early application deadlines in one place. This makes it easier for prospective applicants exploring US universities to get a quick and easy overview of the different application deadlines.
Many international school students are aware that the US application process can be highly competitive. What’s more, students are making crucial decisions about where they want to study and live for the next four years of their lives.
Our work with students all around the world teaches us that ED and EA season can be especially stressful for international applicants and their parents.
62% of students at Ellen Johnston’s international school in Dhaka, Bangladesh apply to the USA. In a recent interview, we asked Ellen what more US universities could do to offer support for international applicants.
Ellen’s top tip? Try to give the personal touch during the application process where possible. Don’t rely on automated emails as a means of telling students that their application has been submitted.
If possible, make it easy for international applicants to reach out to your admissions team, and follow up with any questions.
Many of the US higher ed institutions that BridgeU works with use our Enhanced Profile feature to list all of their early application deadlines in one place. This makes it easier for prospective applicants exploring US universities to get a quick and easy overview of the different application deadlines.
BridgeU’s integration with both the Common App and Parchment makes it easier for our counsellors to track the progress of US applications from within one platform.
If you’d like to learn more about our international school community, and learn more about growing your undergraduate recruitment with a dedicated international school strategy, download our latest ebook below.
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