It’s almost the end of first semester here at Sacred Heart, and for seniors, it signals the end of possibly the worst semester of high school. This semester involved studying frenzies, obsessive Netclassroom checks, supplemental essays, college interviews, assaulting guidance with emails, scholarship hunts, SATs and ACTs, and lots and lots of crying (well, at least I cried I lot). Everything we’ve worked for the past three years of high school culminated in the painful months of September, October, and November. And it’s not over until our deposits are submitted in May.

But could this hell be avoided? Could the suffering be shortened by applying Early Decision instead of Regular?

For those not engrossed in the college application process, applicants who apply to a school Early Decision are required to attend that school if they are accepted. Their application deadlines are typically two months earlier than those of Regular Decision applicants, and the decision arrives in December.

Some SHA seniors have applied Early Decision to their top choice school and have already been accepted, drastically shortening the college application hell and slashing the senior stress level. “I feel so relieved!” says Anneka Ginz, who was accepted Early Decision to Quinnipiac University. “A weight is lifted off my shoulders. I don’t have any regrets.”

Most of us, however, aren’t lucky enough to fall completely in love with one school. “I’m doing all Regular Decision,” says Jess Giuletti. “I don’t know how to make this sound interesting, but I didn’t feel that any school was specific to my needs enough to apply Early Decision.”

“She didn’t connect with any school,” explains Lizzie Hammerburg.

Some seniors are infinitely more optimistic about the college process than others. “I’m glad I didn’t do [Early Decision] because I view the process as more exciting than one that causes suffering,” says Nicole Campbell. “Early Decision makes me feel trapped.”

There is also a financial element to deciding whether or not to apply Early Decision. Applying Early Decision to one school means that you either cannot accept or will not even know about the financial aid packages other schools might offer you. “I didn’t apply Early Decision to my top choice, Northeastern, because it’s really expensive and I want to see what packages I get from other schools,” says Gabby Hummel.

For me, it’s crazy to think that in a couple of months all of us seniors will know where we are going and what we are doing next year. Doing Early Decision would mean knowing right about now. But, as Nicole said, not knowing is exciting. Maybe not knowing can be fun (if I could minimize the crying).