Your Money: Is early decision classist?

November 24, 2025

	By Ron Lieber

Hi Everyone —

Last month, our colleague Kailyn Rhone broke a big story on the college beat. Tulane University had informed four high schools that its students would not be able to apply early decision this year, because previous students from those schools had gotten accepted and decided not to matriculate. If you get into a college via the early decision process, you’re supposed to go (with some important exceptions, which we covered here).

We heard from many readers with many questions, and one topic we’ll be exploring soon is this: Is early decision classist — that is, useful only for people who don’t have to worry about what financial aid (if any) they may get? Or can people who need financial aid make use of it too, even though it generally limits how much shopping around you can do for the best price?

If you have recent personal experience with this — say, as a parent trying to help your teenager navigate this complex process — we’d be interested in hearing about it. Please drop us a note at yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com.

We are grateful for your help — Thanksgiving week and every week. Enjoy the holiday!

An illustration of a hand holding a big net near a flying house.

Till Lauer

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