Early Decision

The Early Decision program best suits those students who have thoroughly researched college options and determined that Bryant University is clearly their first choice. Bryant University offers two Early Decision deadlines. Applications to be considered for Early Decision I must be postmarked by November 16 and admission decisions will be mailed on December 16. Applications to be considered for Early Decision II must be postmarked by January 4 and admission decisions will be mailed on February 4. All Early Decision applicants must submit a signed Early Decision Supplement form prior to the application review process. Students applying under the Early Decision II program are required to submit first quarter or first trimester grades.

Early Decision candidates will receive one of three responses: an offer of admission, a deferral to the regular application pool, or a denial. Students who are deferred do not need to submit a new application but may be requested by the Admission Committee to submit additional materials such as mid-year grades, additional testing, or other documents indicating academic progress. Deferred candidates are released from the Early Decision binding agreement and will be notified of their admission decision with the Regular Decision applicant pool in mid-March. Students who are admitted under the Early Decision program are expected to enroll, pending an adequate financial aid package and agree to withdraw any applications that have been made to other colleges and to initiate no new ones.

The Admission Committee reviews applicants in the Early Decision pool to determine that the applicant is academically prepared to be successful at Bryant, has demonstrated a commitment to Bryant, and shows promise of contributing to the Bryant community. Students admitted under the Early Decision program receive their merit awards (if applicable) and need-based financial awards (if required financial aid has been provided) with their letter of acceptance. Students Admitted under the Early Decision I program must submit an $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit by January 8. Students admitted under the Early Decision II program must submit an $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit by February 26.

Early Action

The Early Action program (EA) is a non-binding application option in which students receive their admission decision earlier in the process. Students are encouraged to apply Early Action if Bryant is one of their top choices. The admission criteria are the same for EA and Regular Decision, so the likelihood of being admitted EA and Regular Decision is the same. The advantage of applying EA is that students will know by mid-January if they have been admitted to Bryant.

Early Action candidates will receive one of three responses: an offer of admission, a deferral to the regular application pool, or a denial. Students who are deferred to the regular decision pool do not need to submit a new application but may be requested by the Admission Committee submit additional materials such as mid-year grades, additional testing, or other documents indicating academic progress.

Along with an offer of admission, students may also receive scholarship notification (if applicable). Admitted EA students receive their need-based financial aid package mid-March, once the FAFSA has been processed. Admitted students who were not initially awarded a merit scholarship in the decision letter in mid-January may be awarded a merit scholarship during a second review process in March.

Applications to be considered for Early Action must be postmarked by December 1 and admission decisions will be mailed mid-January. Under this non-binding process, students have until May 1 to submit the $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit.