Considering Early Decision?

The University of Richmond offers a binding early decision application option to students who consider Richmond their first-choice college and are willing to commit to enrolling at Richmond if admitted.

Some advantages of applying early to Richmond:

• Your college choice is made early; if admitted, you know well before the end of your senior year that you're going to your top-choice college.
• You compete against a smaller pool of students. Historically, Richmond's acceptance rate in Early Decision has been higher than in Regular Decision.
• All first-year, degree-seeking applicants, including Fall Early Decision, Winter Early Decision, and Regular Decision applicants, are eligible for Presidential Scholarship and Richmond Scholars consideration. Merit scholarships are awarded to the most outstanding applicants.
• Richmond does not disavantage Early Decision applicants in the need-based financial aid process: we meet 100% of demonstrated need for all students, so your need-based financial aid package will look identical, whether you apply early or regular. (I.e. we won't give you less because you're already committed.)

The potential disadvantage to applying Early Decision is that it limits your options; by committing to enrolling if admitted, you don't have the opportunity to compare offers (including merit-based scholarship and need-based financial aid offers) from other colleges.

We welcome you to contact us if you have any questions. Regional admission counselors are happy to help you consider whether Early Decision is the right option for you.