Dear Mark,I’m the parent of a high school senior, and we’re right in the thick of the college admissions process. The application deadlines are coming up fast, and I’m stressed about whether we should be applying Early Decision, Early Action, or just sticking with Regular Decision. I’m also worried about the financial side—we’ll need financial aid, and I don’t want to commit to something we can’t afford. Early Decision: The All-In CommitmentThink of Early Decision like proposing marriage on the third date. However, and this is a significant caveat, you mentioned a concern for financial aid.