Early Decision Lesson Plans for High School Students
Short answer
An early decision lesson plan for high school students helps them understand the college application process, focusing on the binding commitment and timelines involved in early decision applications. It guides students through evaluating whether early decision fits their goals, preparing applications, and considering financial and personal factors before applying.
What grade levels are best suited for early decision lesson plans?
Early decision lesson plans are ideal for students in grades 11 and 12 who are actively exploring college options and preparing their applications. Juniors begin thinking about application strategies, and seniors can benefit from detailed guidance on deadlines and commitments. For homeschoolers, the lesson can be adapted to the student’s readiness, focusing on college planning skills aligned with their academic progress and goals.
These grades correspond to the time when students finalize college lists and make important choices about application types. Teachers and parents can integrate this lesson into college and career readiness curricula or use it as a standalone session to emphasize the distinct features of early decision applications.
What learning objectives and timing should the lesson include?
| Learning Objective | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Define early decision and distinguish it from other application types | 15 |
| Identify pros and cons of applying early decision | 20 |
| Practice evaluating readiness for early decision | 15 |
| Review the steps to apply for early decision | 25 |
| Discuss financial considerations and commitment implications | 15 |
| Reflect through discussion and exit ticket | 10 |
The total lesson time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, which can be split into two sessions if needed. This pacing allows for engagement, direct instruction, and active learning through discussion and application exercises.
What materials are needed for the lesson?
This lesson requires only basic classroom or home supplies:
- Whiteboard or chalkboard and markers/chalk
- Paper and writing utensils for students
- Projector or screen for presenting information (optional)
- Copies of sample college application timelines (can be drawn on board)
- A list of pros and cons of early decision (prepared by teacher or parent)
- Checklist template for students to evaluate their readiness (can be handwritten)
No specialized printables are necessary since all materials can be created on the spot. Using a projector or screen helps with visual presentation but is not essential.
How should the warm-up activity be structured?
Begin with a brief brainstorming session by asking students what they know about applying to college. Prompt them with questions like:
- What types of college applications have you heard of?
- Have you heard the term “early decision”? What do you think it means?
Write responses on the board to gauge their baseline knowledge. Then, share a simple definition of early decision as a college application process where students apply early and commit to attending if accepted.
This warm-up encourages participation, activates prior knowledge, and sets the stage for deeper learning.
What are the key points for direct instruction?
Focus on these essential facts:
- Early decision is a binding application: if accepted, the student must attend that college.
- Deadlines are typically in November, earlier than regular decision deadlines.
- Students can only apply to one college ED but can submit other applications under different plans.
- ED can provide an advantage in admissions due to demonstrated interest and early commitment.
- Financial aid offers may be limited; students should consider affordability before applying ED.
- Students must be certain about their choice and have their financial plans in place before applying ED.
Use examples to clarify, such as comparing ED to regular decision in terms of timeline and commitment. Encourage note-taking for later review.
What steps should the main activity include?
Guide students through an evaluation and planning exercise:
- Assess readiness: Using a checklist, students mark if they have their college list, financial plan, and application materials ready.
- Pros and cons discussion: In small groups or pairs, students list reasons to apply ED and reasons to wait.
- Timeline creation: Students map out their application calendar, marking ED deadlines, required documents, and financial aid steps.
- Application practice: Students draft a short essay or personal statement paragraph that could be used in an early decision application.
- Commitment reflection: Students write a brief paragraph explaining why they would or would not choose ED based on what they’ve learned.
This hands-on process helps students concretely understand the implications and prepare for real-world application scenarios.
What discussion questions promote critical thinking?
- Why might a student choose early decision over regular decision?
- What risks does a student take by applying early decision?
- How can family financial circumstances influence the early decision choice?
- What should a student do if they are accepted early decision but later have second thoughts?
- How does early decision affect a student’s ability to compare financial aid offers?
These questions encourage students to consider both advantages and challenges, fostering a balanced perspective.
How can assessment or exit tickets be used?
Use a short quiz or reflection prompt that asks students to:
- Define early decision in their own words.
- List two pros and two cons of early decision.
- Explain one reason a student might not want to apply early decision.
- Identify one step they need to take next if they decide to apply early decision.
Collect these written responses to assess understanding. For homeschoolers, this can be a self-assessment or a discussion with the parent/educator.
How should the lesson be differentiated or extended for homeschoolers?
For homeschoolers, the lesson can be personalized to the student’s college interests and readiness:
- Extend by researching specific colleges’ ED policies and deadlines.
- Include a mock application review with the parent acting as an admissions officer.
- Discuss family financial aid options more deeply, drawing from resources like Federal Student Aid.
- Use additional activities to build essay-writing skills or interview preparation.
- Allow breaks or spread the lesson over multiple days for deeper reflection.
Differentiation ensures the lesson meets individual needs and pacing, making it practical beyond a traditional classroom setting.
For more background on early decision definitions and strategies, educators can refer to related articles such as What Early Decision Means in College Applications, Early Decision Tips and Tricks for College Applicants, and Early Decision Explained for College Applicants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between early decision and early action applications?
Early decision is a binding agreement where students commit to attend if accepted, while early action allows students to apply early but without a binding commitment. Early decision applicants can apply to only one school ED, but early action permits multiple applications.
Can students apply early decision to multiple schools?
No, students can only apply early decision to one college because it is a binding commitment. Applying ED to more than one school violates application rules and can result in disqualification.
How can financial aid affect early decision decisions?
Since early decision requires commitment before comparing aid offers, students and families should carefully consider affordability. If financial aid is a concern, regular decision or early action might be better to compare multiple aid packages.
What should students do if accepted early decision but want to decline?
Because early decision is binding, declining after acceptance is discouraged and may have consequences. Students should only apply ED if sure they want to attend. If circumstances change, they should communicate promptly with the college.
How early should students start preparing for early decision applications?
Students should begin preparation several months in advance, ideally in the summer or early fall of their senior year, to ensure they can meet early deadlines and have all materials ready.