Early Decision vs. Early Action: Determining the Best Choice for Your Student
By Huntington Learning Center
Fall of senior year is packed with activity. From last-chance SAT/ACT exam dates to requesting and collecting letters of recommendation to application deadlines, seniors will be busy. If your student is ahead of the game and wants to get their applications submitted sooner than later, applying by early decision or early action might be a great idea. It’s important to understand what those terms mean and how they can affect your student’s college decision.
What is early decision?
Early decision applicants can only apply early to their top choice school. Applicants who apply this way agree to enroll in the college if they get accepted—or in other words, the student’s decision is binding. Applications tend to be due in by November with admissions decisions being sent to students by mid-December (although this varies by college).
Early decision is much more restrictive than early action. If accepted, students must withdraw all other applications submitted via regular application deadlines. A nonrefundable deposit is typically requested far in advance of May 1, the typical decision deadline.
What is early action?
Early action is a little more flexible than early action in two important ways. First, applicants do not need to commit to offers of admittance upon receiving them. And second, applicants do not need to hold back on applying to other colleges if they wish. Students also do not have to commit to the college until the standard reply date of May 1. Again, applications are due by November, with students getting notified of admissions decisions by mid-December.
What does the current college landscape look like now with early action and early decision applications?
Applying early is a great way for your student to set themselves apart as prepared, motivated and highly interested in a particular college or university. Keep in mind that tens of thousands of other students are doing the same thing.
Over the past few years, most colleges and universities have received record-breaking numbers of college applications, and admissions staff at these schools are overwhelmed. Admissions staff are giving a great deal of their attention to the applicants who apply through the early action or early decision process. Roughly 50% of applicants that apply to college do so through early action or early decision. Colleges usually fill a significant portion (50-60%) of their incoming class with early decision/early action applications.
Which is better for your student?
These two types of applications are different, and depending on your student’s goals, one could be a better fit than the other. A few things to consider:
- Early decision might appeal to a student who has one clear frontrunner. If the student knows for certain that they would attend that college if accepted, early decision is a good way to go.
- Early action might appeal to a student who has several top choices but is still undecided. These students might want to compare financial aid offers at several schools before they make their decision.
- A big benefit of either approach is that students can get the daunting task of college applications done sooner. And if none of those early applications result in acceptance, your student will be ahead of the game with all materials ready to go to apply to their next-in-line colleges via regular admission deadlines.
Applying early isn’t for every student.
If your student could use the fall semester of senior year to strengthen their GPA, retake the SAT/ACT one final time to get a better score or do more research on colleges, early action/early decision might not be for them. Perhaps your student needs the extra time to make that important college decision.
Applications for regular decision admissions often have a deadline in January, but some may be as early as mid-December. As with any college or university admissions application, check the website for admission information and deadlines, and make sure your student submits their materials on time.
