Pre-senior admissions practices rising

In September, many high school seniors are expecting to receive their early acceptance letters from colleges.

These admission letters will be sent by colleges four months earlier than their traditional early acceptance letters.

And a survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling shows that these earlier-than-normal acceptance letters, also called pre-senior admission practices, are on the rise.

These admissions are allowed provided the college sees the student’s junior-year transcript.

But some college and high-school administrators are worried about the stress on prospective students when schools begin asking for applications so early.

Ashley Memory, senior assistant director of admissions for UNC, said she is aware of some colleges accepting students earlier and thinks it’s somewhat of a risk.

“For Carolina, it is important we are able to see academic progress through your senior year and final transcript,” she said.

Many colleges have seen an increase in early action and early decision applications as well as acceptances.

In 2009, 65 percent of colleges reported an increase in the number of early decision applicants accepted, and 73 percent of colleges reported an increase in the number of students admitted through early action, according to the report.

Memory said UNC used to have a binding early notification decision but did away with it in 2003.

UNC also had an increase in early applicants this year compared to last year, she said.

“The abundance of early decision plans around the country made students feel as though they absolutely had to apply someplace early if they were going to have a chance of earning admission,” she said.

Kristin Hiemstra, a counselor at East Chapel Hill High School, said more than half of students there apply early and she has had a few students admitted to colleges prior to their senior year.

“They get admitted over the summer and it takes pressure off their senior year so they can focus on their studies. It’s mostly done for colleges trying to increase enrollment and for athletics,” she said.

Hiemstra said the decision to apply earlier depends on what the student wants and what school they want to go to.

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