What’s The Difference? – Forbes Advisor

Many colleges and universities offer early action and early decision admission options, which expedite the admissions process for applicants who know which school they want to attend.

Students need to know the differences between early action and early decision so they can understand what they’re signing up for before they submit their college applications. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know regarding early action vs. early decision, including the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Early Action vs. Early Decision: Similarities and Differences

Early action and early decision both allow students to gain admission to college more quickly than the traditional application timeline. But there are key differences between early action and early decision, and not all schools offer both admission programs.

Read on for more details, and for information on the typical college application timeline, check out our guide on how to apply for college.

What Is Early Action?

You can consider early action a non-binding way to get a jump on the college admissions process—it’s simply applying to college early and receiving an early response. These are some additional features of early action admissions:

• Students considering early action should apply to their chosen school or schools by the early action deadline (often, this deadline is Nov. 1 or Nov. 15).
• Schools inform early action candidates of their decision sometime between December and February.
• Students must submit their intent to enroll in their chosen college on or by May 1, which is the regular decision deadline for all first-year college applicants.

What Is Early Decision?

Unlike early action, when a student applies early decision to a school, an offer of acceptance is binding.

You can only apply to one school as an early decision candidate, so this option is best reserved for high-performing students who are absolutely sure about which school is their top choice. Unlike early action, which can be used to accelerate a college admissions process without creating a binding contract, early decision should not be taken lightly.

Under early decision:

• Students apply to their top-choice school by the early decision deadline (typically Nov. 1 or Nov. 15).
• Students receive an admission decision from their top-choice school in December.
• If accepted to their top-choice school, students commit and withdraw any other college applications.

Benefits of Applying Early

There are many benefits to applying early, especially for highly motivated and high-performing students who know what they want their college path to look like. Early decision applications could even increase your chance at admission, which we explore later on this page. Below we list some other benefits of applying early.

Earlier Admission Decision

One clear advantage is that early action and early decision applicants receive an admission decision more quickly. The senior year of high school is stressful enough without having to wait six months to find out whether you’ve been accepted to college at all, let alone a school that excites you. Applying early can help relieve this stress and allow you to enjoy your final year of high school.

Fewer College Applications

Since the early decision pathway is binding, it’s advised that students hold off on applying to other schools until they hear back from their top choice. Even early action applicants may hear back quickly, which can mean less time and money spent on other college applications.

More Time to Prepare Once Accepted

Will you have to move away for college? Do you prefer a certain type of housing? Will you need a car? Will you need to secure employment during college? These decisions can get pushed to the last minute if you don’t know where you’ll be attending school. Having a clear idea about where you’ll attend college early on in your senior year can create more breathing room to focus on these critical questions and create a smoother transition.

Time to Apply Elsewhere if Not Admitted

If you apply early and are not granted admission to your top school, receiving the decision earlier allows you more time to focus on applications for other colleges. If you apply early decision and are not granted admission, your top school may defer your application and reconsider it as part of the general application process. This gives you another shot at getting into your chosen school.

Potential Drawbacks of Early Application

There are some drawbacks to applying early to college as well. Make sure to consider the following factors before lodging an early action or early decision application.

High-Pressure Decision

Since early decision is binding, it can place a great deal of pressure on students. Only apply early decision if you are 100% sure about your top school since you can’t back out if you are accepted. If you do back out, you may face penalties like loss of deposit money. In some cases, a breached early decision contract can result in the school reaching out to other schools to alert them of your actions, which can hurt your chances of admission to those schools.

Fewer Financial Aid Opportunities

When you are admitted to college as an early decision candidate, you’ll receive a financial aid package along with your letter of acceptance. Since the decision is binding, you won’t be able to explore financial aid packages from other schools and choose the one that works best for your budget. Instead, you’ll have to accept whatever the early decision school offers.

It is possible to back out of an early decision acceptance on the basis of financial ability, but remember that you’ve invested time, money and effort into applying early decision. If you are unsure about how you will fund college, applying as an early decision candidate may not be the best route for you to take.

Does Early Application Increase Your Chance of Admission?

Data from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) shows that schools with early decision options do have higher admission rates for early decision applicants when compared to all applicants (61% vs. 49%, respectively).

Some of this may have to do with yield rates, which refer to the percentage of students who accept a school’s offer of admission. This higher acceptance rate could also be the result of comparatively stronger applications among early decision students.

Which Should You Choose: Early Action vs. Early Decision?

How do you decide which path to take if you’re considering applying to college early? Should you apply early at all? Below, we’ll look at some markers you should hit before pursuing an early application program.

Early Decision

• You have clearly identified a top-choice school.
• You’ve visited your top choice, researched the program you’re interested in and spoken to your college counselor to ensure it’s a good fit for you.
• You’re a strong candidate for the school; your test scores, coursework and application exceed the school’s admission requirements.
• You have high standardized test scores.
• You don’t need extensive financial aid.
• You’re prepared to commit to the school if you’re accepted (including paying a deposit) without considering other offers of acceptance.

Early Action

• You’ve identified a few schools you’d love to hear from first.
• You’re looking to get a jump-start on the college admissions process.
• You want to maintain some flexibility regarding which school you accept.
• You’re not prepared to make a final decision until the traditional May 1 deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Early Action vs. Early Decision