It’s not just for the Ivy League, Duke or Vanderbilt anymore. Early decision has come to Florida’s two flagship universities, so now there’s a new strategy for getting into the University of Florida and Florida State University. 

“We got a big shock this year when FSU first decided to add early decision, which was like, what? Early decision is common at private colleges, not very common at public colleges,” said Mandee Adler, owner of a company called International College Counselors.

UF quickly followed FSU’s lead and decided to offer early decision admission as well. So what does it mean? Early decision applicants are bound, like a contract, to attend that school if they’re admitted. The universities gain students who will definitely matriculate at their campuses, rather than going elsewhere. 

Students can only apply ED to one college. It’s a way to show commitment, said Ilan Leff, a senior at the Poznack School who intends to use the ED option to apply to UF. 

“I think especially for students who have grown up in Florida and have known for a while that UF and FSU might be their top choices, I think this really gives them the opportunity to show that loyalty, show that commitment,” Ilan said. 

A senior at Wellington High School, Taylor Browning says she, too, will apply ED to UF. 

“It’s been a lot harder to get into FSU and UF and just having the option of early decision could be a game changer,” Taylor said. 

Both students said the ED option is a big topic of discussion among their friends.  

“I think we can feel very proud that we have great colleges at good prices in our state,” Adler said. 

She reminds students that if they get their early decision choice, they will never know at what other schools they might’ve been accepted. 

“So I think that’s kind of a loss that the kids won’t be able to compare those options,” Adler said. 

On the flip side of that reality, doesn’t ED give students who are borderline a better opportunity to get into that school?

“A hundred percent,” Adler replied, “So if you know you want to go to UF, apply ED, full stop, I don’t think there’s anything else to say.”

UF and FSU have acceptance rates at about 20%. That’s not close to the 4-5% acceptance rates at Yale, Brown or Duke, but it’s significantly lower than the national average for public universities, which is 70%. So expect early decision to be a popular option in Florida.