In the summer before her senior year, Dana Brzezinski received an email that many students dream of. She was accepted into Montclair State University through their Early Bird Junior Admission Program. This program allows high-achieving juniors to apply early, for free, and get an admission decision before starting their final high school year. For Dana, this early acceptance was a game changer.
“I didn’t expect to hear back so soon,” she shared. Receiving that email made her impending college journey feel real, altering the atmosphere of her last year at Howell High School. “It was a relief,” she said. “The application process became more manageable and a lot less stressful.” Thanks to the non-binding nature of the program, she could continue exploring other colleges while knowing she already had a secure spot at Montclair.
Dana fell in love with Montclair before even applying. “The community feels welcoming, and the campus is beautiful,” she explained. She noticed that the professors seemed passionate about their jobs and that students engaged with one another instead of being glued to their phones. This vibrant atmosphere ultimately sealed the deal for her.
Now, as a first-year Education Foundations major with dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher, Dana is diving into campus life. She’s already joined the Future Educators Club and is considering participation in the gardening club and other activities. “My freshman year is going really well. The elementary education program feels like a perfect match for me,” she said.
Programs like Montclair’s Early Bird initiative are becoming popular among universities. According to recent data from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, schools are increasingly offering early admission options to help students ease their anxiety about college applications. This forward-thinking approach not only benefits students but also colleges, as they can start building their incoming class earlier.
High school juniors interested in the advantage Dana had can explore the Early Bird Admissions Program. The application deadline is June 15, and students can expect to hear about admission decisions and preliminary scholarship offers in July. This early offer can be a powerful tool for planning college finances and laying out future academic paths.
