FAQs about Early Decision at WFU

August 1 is an important day in our applicant cycle: it’s the day that our application opens! Along with the questions about studying abroad or completing research, my colleagues and I respond to a number of questions about Early Decision. A single blog post that answers all those questions would be nearly too long to read, but I hope that what follows is helpful to those who will soon apply or those who advise and counsel the students who will. 

If my colleagues and I can be of assistance as you navigate either the admissions or financial aid application process, please be in touch! 

Kindly, 

Thomas Ray, Associate Dean of Admissions

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What is Early Decision? Early Decision is an application round by which students can apply “early” and receive a decision “early.” Applying Early Decision indicates that Wake Forest is the applicant’s top choice and that, if they are admitted, they will withdraw applications elsewhere and commit to enrolling at Wake Forest in the following fall. 

What is required to apply Early Decision? Completed applications include the application for admission (most often submitted through either the Common or Coalition Application), a secondary school report, transcript(s), and two letters of recommendation (one from a college counselor/advisor and another, preferably, from a teacher you’ve had within the last two academic years). There are optional components that will only be required according to the preferences that you share with us in your application: for instance, your desire to submit standardized test scores (e.g. SAT/ACT) or to complete a video interview. 

When you apply ED, you are also expected to submit an ED agreement, which includes signatures from the student, a parent, and your college advisor. 

Could you tell me about interviews at Wake Forest? We offer three options for students to share more about themselves: a written supplement, a video interview, and a 20-30 minute virtual interview. Detailed information about both the video and virtual interviews are made available to applicants via email after they have submitted their admissions application. Applicants should take note that they have FIVE DAYS after receiving a confirmation email from us to submit either the video interview or a request for a virtual interview. 

Too often, prospective students and their families believe they have to interview and assume that the virtual option is best/preferred. Truth is, some students shine during a synchronous interview, and we want to provide the opportunity for them to do so.  Others prefer the asynchronous format and ability to re-record a video interview. Then, there are those who best bring their stories to life when they write. All are considered equal in our review process. 

What is the timeline for decision release? Wake Forest offers two Early Decision rounds: Early Decision I and Early Decision II. Early Decision I is a rolling process, wherein applications are reviewed as they are received and determined to be “complete.” Applicants typically receive their admissions decision in the month after their application has been completed. 

As a general rule of thumb, having all application materials in by the end of one month will make it more likely that you receive an admissions decision at the end of the following month. Let’s consider a few scenarios as instructive examples: 

• You submit your application for admission in mid-August, and we receive all your application materials the following week. You would receive your admissions decision at the end of September. 
• You submit your application in mid-August and submit your request to interview a few days later. You aren’t able to complete that interview until early September. You would receive your admissions decision at the end of October. 
• You submit your application and application materials in late September. You submit your video interview in early October. You would receive your decision in November. 

(This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but I hope it gives you a sense of how we plan to release decisions.) 

Early Decision II is not rolling. Applications should be submitted by January 1, and students will receive their admissions decision in mid-February.

Can or should people who require financial aid plan to apply ED? Yes, applicants who require need-based financial aid can apply Early Decision. Wake Forest is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all its applicants. We encourage applicants and their families to complete the Net Price Calculator to understand the potential out-of-pocket costs of attending Wake Forest. If a student feels strongly about attending Wake Forest, and the Net Price Calculator reflects a potential need-based financial aid award that is comfortable for the applicant and their family, they should feel confident about applying Early Decision. Please remember that we require applicants to submit both the FAFSA and CSS Profile, as well as any other necessary tax documentation, if they are seeking need-based financial aid. Failing to submit your financial aid information may result in delays to your admissions decision or may prevent us from providing you with the best consideration for admission. 

Wake Forest also offers merit-based aid, but less than 5% of our applicant pool receives it. For the best consideration of these awards, be sure to submit your admissions application by the priority deadline of November 15. 

What admissions decision can you receive if you apply Early Decision? When applying EDI, applicants can receive the decision of admit, defer, or deny. When applying ED2, applicants can receive an admissions decision of admit, waitlist, or deny.

What does it mean to be “deferred” or “waitlisted”? Is there a difference? When a student is deferred or waitlisted, they are released from their ED agreement – which means that they will no longer be required to enroll if they are admitted to Wake Forest – and reconsidered in the context of the Regular Decision applicant pool. Deferred and waitlisted applicants are encouraged to submit updated grades and may also add additional information, like awards and recognitions, recommendation letters, etc. The key difference between the two decisions is that deferred applicants are re-evaluated during the winter months and receive a second admissions decision in March; waitlisted candidates are re-evaluated in the summer months, only as seats are available in the incoming class. 

Is there an advantage to applying Early Decision as soon as possible? The perceived advantage to applying early in our EDI process is that it conveys a greater likelihood of admission. This is simply untrue. We apply the same standards throughout our review process. Now, applying Early Decision does, by default, guarantee that you will be considered for merit-based scholarships (since you submit your application before the priority deadline of November 15), and it does make it more likely that you are able to complete a virtual interview (as availability is much greater in August through September than in November). 

The often ignored disadvantage to applying early in our EDI process is that we won’t have any senior-year grades to consider for early applicants, nor do we know what our applicant pool will look like that early in the process. If our Admissions Committee believes that seeing senior-year grades or gaining a better understanding of the context of our applicant pool would be helpful before making an admissions decision, we will defer that student to the Regular Decision application round. 

Is there anything else I should know? If you choose to submit your Common Application during the first two weeks of August, you will not receive a confirmation email from us until later in the month. We don’t want you to worry! This is typical of each year’s Common Application rollout. 

The five-day window during which to request an optional virtual interview or submit an optional video does not begin until you receive that confirmation email.

You do not have to use the Common Application to apply for admission, and, if you do, you do not have to submit it in the first two weeks of August. We just wanted to alert Common App applicants submitting during that time that they won’t receive an immediate confirmation email.