What is Early Decision 2, and Why Does It Matter?

Early Decision 2 is a second opportunity for students to commit to a college as their top choice. While ED1 deadlines are typically in November, ED2 deadlines fall in early January. Colleges that offer ED2 use it as a way to fill more of their incoming class with highly committed students.

Here’s why this matters:

• Colleges prioritize their yield rate. The yield rate is the percentage of students who accept offers of admission. ED applicants—whether in round one or two—are 100% committed to attending if admitted. This makes them more appealing to colleges than regular decision (RD) applicants, who may be less likely to enroll.
• It’s a strategic ad...

The holiday season is upon us, and while many are focused on family, festivities, and football, I know that for parents of high school seniors, there’s an added layer of stress: college admissions decisions. As early decision (ED), early action (EA), and rolling admission results roll in, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Whether your teen is celebrating acceptance or facing disappointment, there are critical next steps that cannot wait.

The next few weeks are pivotal in shaping your teen’s college journey—and I want to ensure you’re prepared. Let’s break it down, step by step, so you and your child can move forward confidently.

1. Reassess the College List (Yes, Again)

Let’s say your teen has app...

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I want to share with you 10 great universities that have a history of helping African-American students to excel. This list was comprised by Essence magazine, as well as Money magazine, and I co-sign on it, because it's based on representation, graduation rates, affordability, and postgraduate earnings. True, some of these schools on this list have comparatively fewer black students, but they're extremely generous with financial aid and have financially successful alumni.

The top 10 are: 

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Harvard University in Massachusetts
3. Duke University in North Carolina
4. Cornell University in New York
5. Florida A&M in Tallaha...