If you got the ED 1 news you were hoping for, then you can stop reading!

If ED 1 didn’t go your way, let’s talk about why that’s not always such a bad thing

For students and families who put their hearts into an Early Decision 1 application, December decisions can feel deeply personal. When the outcome isn’t an acceptance—whether it’s a deferral or a denial—it’s normal to feel disappointed, unsettled, or even a bit lost.

But both parents and students need to understand and verbalize that an ED1 outcome is not a final verdict on a student’s potential. In fact, for many students, not being admitted to ED1 can ultimately lead to more options, better financial outcomes, and a college experience that fits better than the original plan.

Early Decision asks students to commit early and emotionally. When the portal doesn’t shout “yes’ with fireworks, it’s important to acknowledge the loss. There’s often a sense of identity tied to that first-choice school.

Parents can help by:

• Resisting the urge to immediately “fix” the situation
• Validating disappointment without catastrophizing
• Reminding students that one admissions office does not define their worth, talent, or future

Only after that emotional pause does it make sense to move forward strategically.

The Hidden Benefits of Not Getting the YES to ED1

While it may not feel like it now, many students later recognize that an ED1 denial or deferral opens doors.

1. More choices and more control

ED1 locks students into one option. Moving forward into ED2 or Regular Decision allows students the ability to compare campuses, programs, cultures, and outcomes before committing.

2. Better Financial Leverage

Early Decision limits financial negotiation. Moving to Regular Decision options allows students to compare aid offers, take advantage of merit scholarships. Families can make informed decisions based on affordability, not just emotion

3. Time to Reassess “Fit”

Sometimes, a first-choice school was based on a single campus visit, reputation, legacy, or peer influence. When students have the opportunity to reevaluate their list of colleges after a denial or a deferral, they feel freer to admit that another school might represent a better fit for them academically and socially. The bonus is often that the college or university also recognizes the fit and offers an advantageous financial perk. Human nature makes us want the people or schools who show us their love.

Strategic Next Steps After ED1

For Students

• Update your college list with intention, not panic
• Revisit essays—this is an opportunity to refine, not reinvent
• Consider ED2 only if it’s a true fit, not a reaction

For Parents

• Keep conversations grounded and forward-looking
• Avoid comparisons with peers—everyone’s timeline is different
• Support exploration without pushing urgency

Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@bierercollegeconsulting.com; www.bierercollegeconsulting.com