The time every senior has been waiting for has been cast upon us.

Since freshman year, students have anxiously waited for the college application and decision process, which has consisted of a lengthy period of guidance counselor meetings, hours on the CommonApp and campus visits.

Those in the class of 2025 who applied for early decision or early action have finally completed this stage of their journey. The first wave of students saying goodbye to Bridgewater-Raritan High School was announced through emails and acceptance letters. Results for the class of 2025 started to be released on December 1, 2024, and will continue to be released through January 31, 2025. 

What is early action and decision? In the college application process, these are the “early-bird specials”. Early action is applying to colleges early and receiving results early; unlike early decision, it is non-binding, which means that a student does not have to commit to the college if they are accepted through early action.

Early decision, on the other hand, is binding, and if a student is granted entry to an institution, they have to attend that school. Both applications are for those who want to find out their results before the normal acceptance season of March or April of 2025.

An anonymous senior at Bridgewater-Raritan shared her thoughts on the early action process. She applied to the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, and Case Western University.

“A lot of ‘prep’ work has to be done before actually applying. First, you really have to narrow down where you want to apply and decide which schools have your major. Then make a schedule to decide where you’re applying, draft our supplements, and write a really good Common App app essay!” she said. 

When asked to provide advice on college applications, her insight was focused on the right fit.

“Make sure the school you want to apply to has your major. For some, I either had to take them off my list at the last minute or change the school because I didn’t realize they didn’t have my major upon applying. Also, write your Common App app over the summer– it saves so much time! Do not let too many people read your essays, since it will confuse you; send it to a teacher you trust and take their feedback. Don’t apply to too many schools or all of the Ivies just because someone on the internet told you to, it’s a waste of time and energy. Make sure to apply to somewhere you’d be happy,” she said.

The senior concluded her remarks with this piece of advice: “Don’t get caught up in other people’s decisions, what’s meant for you will happen!”

Until the end of the entire college admissions process, The Prowler wishes the best of luck to the class of 2025 in all of their academic endeavors.