Season's query: Did I get in?
For high school seniors applying early to college, the mailbox can feel more like a Pandora's box these days.
That's because many colleges and universities began sending out their first round of admission letters to students who applied for early decision or early action last week.
Early decision requires students to commit to a school right away if they get in. Early action does not bind students to the school if they're admitted.
The popularity of applying early varies from school to school, ranging from more than 70 percent in Wellesley to less than 30 percent in Marlborough and Watertown.
Framingham's guidance counselors urge all their college-bound seniors to have at least one application ready for early submittal but primarily as a way to avoid deadline pressure later on.
"If you're in the statistical ballpark of a college, applying early can increase your chances," said Adam Goldberg, director of guidance at Weston High School, where about 67 percent of the 177 seniors applied early this year. That's a slight decline from last year, when 72 percent applied early, he said.
Though he hasn't had a chance to analyze the results yet, Goldberg characterizes it as a "relatively good year" for Weston students getting into schools early, which he attributes to the students making "wise decisions" about where to apply and to Naviance, a software program the school is using this year for the first time.
The software, which many suburban districts use, allows students to compare their test scores and grades with those of past students from their school who applied to a particular college.
The mood on campus is a mixture of stress and relief, many guidance counselors say.
"I don't see a down-in-the-dumps, 'I didn't get in anywhere, so I'm going to work at a gas station' " type of reaction among students, said Thomas Hughart, director of guidance at Wellesley High School. "I think most of our students are handling it well."
About 70 percent of the 286 seniors at Wellesley High applied early, comparable with past years, Hughart said.
He said that he believes that applying early no longer is as advantageous as it once was . He speculated that universities may be reducing the percentage of students they accept early as a way of making themselves look better in college guide books. High rejection rates can boost a college's ranking, he said.
For the last few years, Framingham High School has encouraged all students to prepare at least one college application by Thanksgiving, said Richard Walcek, head of the guidance department. About 95 percent of the 505 seniors do so, though not all the students submit them.
"It's the first one that's the hurdle. By helping them not put it off, we help remove some of that anxiety," said Walcek.
"Marlborough's not a school that has traditionally gone early," said Robert Berardino, guidance department coordinator.
Fewer than one-third of the 255 seniors at the high school applied early this year.
Around 50 percent of Needham seniors applied early this year, close to last year's rate, said guidance counselor Thomas Dorney .
Dorney believes early action applicants find it "psychologically helpful to get in somewhere."
Even it they choose not to attend that school, they feel less anxiety in spring as they wait to hear from other colleges.
This year, Dorney said he's seeing more schools reject early applicants outright rather than deferring a decision until spring.
"Though it may be painful now, it's better for them to know," he said.
Christina Pazzanese can be reached at cpazzanese@globe.com. 