Early Action vs. Early Decision: An Overview and Strategic Tips

ByAimee Heller
A photo illustrating college advisor South Florida at International College Counselors explains the pros and cons of Early Action vs. Early Decision.

For students who hope to gain an advantage in the competitive college admissions process, applying Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) can be a strategic move.

Early Action vs. Early Decision

These early application options can significantly enhance a student’s chances of acceptance, making it a wise choice whenever feasible.

Among the myriad colleges in the United States, more than 450 offer Early Decision or Early Action plans, in addition to the Regular Decision (RD) option. Some institutions even provide all three application plans; students choose one plan for each college they apply to.

The application deadlines for ED and EA generally fall between October 15 and November 15 of the student’s senior year, though some may be even earlier. It’s crucial to carefully note the deadlines for all colleges you intend to apply to.

Choosing Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) can significantly impact a student’s college application process. While applying early may seem like a straightforward decision, it’s essential to understand the differences between the two.

Applying Early = A Higher Chance of Being Accepted

In reviewing the data, International College Counselors college advisors have observed that many colleges admit a large percentage of their incoming class from the early application pool.

For example, at Boston University, an estimated 60% of the entering class was filled by those who applied Early Decision. University of Pennsylvania admitted approximately half of the University’s latest class through Early Decision.

Early Decision (ED)

Early Decision is a binding agreement. If a student applies ED to a school and is admitted, they are committed to attending that school. This means they must immediately withdraw all other applications and send their enrollment deposit to the ED school. Schools offering ED include Brown, Columbia, Duke, Emory, Rice, Tufts, the University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt, among many others.

Some colleges also offer Early Decision II (ED2), which lets a student apply later in the cycle (usually January) and consider another ED option if their ED1 application was denied or deferred, or if they discovered a first-choice school later in the cycle.

When deciding whether to apply early, especially ED1, it’s crucial for students to choose a school where they have a strong chance of admission. We advise students not to “throw away” their ED1 on a school that is unlikely to admit them. (Applying early helps, but it doesn’t work miracles.) Applying ED1 to a reach school is risky, as being denied means a student can’t apply ED1 elsewhere. Applying ED2 is an option at some schools if you are not admitted to your ED1 school. Schools offering ED1 and ED2 include American, Boston College, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, and NYU, among several others. Applying ED2 is not as advantageous as applying ED1, so where a student applies ED1 is most important.

Early Action (EA)

Early Action is non-binding. With EA, you apply early and receive your admission decision early, but you have no obligation to enroll. Students admitted EA have until May 1, like admitted Regular Decision students, to decide whether or not to enroll at the EA school. Students can apply to multiple schools through Early Action, unless it’s REA or SCEA (see below).

The University of Chicago, MIT, University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, Babson, and Villanova are just a few of the schools that offer EA. Some colleges only have EA for their in-state students like College of Charleston, Florida State University, and Georgia Tech. The University of Florida and the University of Texas-Austin adopted a new EA policy for this year’s admission cycle. 

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

Restrictive Early Action (REA), also known as Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA), is another early application option. This non-binding option allows a student to apply early to only one school, and they cannot apply ED or EA elsewhere, except for certain exceptions. Each REA/SCEA school has specific guidelines, so it’s important to review their websites thoroughly when considering this option.

Harvard, Notre Dame, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale utilize the REA/SCEA admission plan. Note that, while Georgetown calls their early plan “EA,” their rules are similar to an REA plan.

Important to consider with Early Action vs. Early Decision

For families seeking need-based or merit-based financial aid, Early Decision may not be the best option. Students accepted through ED must withdraw all other applications and cannot apply elsewhere, which would prevent them from comparing financial aid packages from different schools. Comparatively, Early Action is often a more flexible option and allows students and families to keep their options open. Most Early Action plans are non-restrictive, and students should apply under these EA plans whenever they are offered.

International College Counselors

For help with Early Action and Early Decision strategies (Early Action vs. Early Decision), work with an advisor from International College Counselors. Contact us at 1-954-414-9986 or http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.