In early-decision programs, high school students apply to their first-choice college and receive an admissions decision by December of their senior year. These programs are binding, meaning that if a student is accepted into a college through the early decision process, he or she must rescind applications to other colleges and forgo the chance to compare financial aid and enrollment packages from other institutions. This Digest reviews the literature on early-decision programs. Much of the current literature focuses on the negative aspects of the program. A major criticism is that the approach seems to favor students from upper middle-class backgrounds, especially those from affluent suburban schools. Early-decision applicants who are not accepted to their first-choice school may be greatly disappointed. Another controversial aspect of early decision is that colleges use the program to increase their rankings in "U.S. News & World Report" and other ranking publications. Several institutions have ended their early decision programs, and others plan to do so. It is too early to determine the fate of early decision, but there is clearly a movement afoot that advocates change in this admission policy. (Contains 13 references.) (SLD)