Submitting an early action application: early decision vs. early action

Pixabay user Alexas_Foto

Key Takeaways:

• Early Decision is a binding early application cycle – if you’re accepted, you’re expected to attend.
• Early Action is an early application cycle but it’s not binding and students can generally wait until May 1 to make their decision.
• Common due dates for ED and EA applications are November 1 or 15, though it varies by school.

Early decision and early action are early application cycles that allow students to showcase their interest in a specific college and potentially get applications out of the way quickly. While early decision and early action are similar, there are major differences between the two that could impact how you apply to your schools.

Early decision vs. early action

Both early decision and early action allow students to apply before regular decision applicants. They’re usually due in November, with regular decision deadlines in January.

What is early decision?

Early decision (ED) is an early application cycle that is “binding.” If a student applies to a school under the early decision banner, they’re expected to attend the following fall.

You’re only allowed to apply to one school under early decision at a time. Applying to more than one could result rejection letters if they find out – and schools do share lists.

If you’re accepted to an early decision school, you’re expected to withdraw all applications to other colleges and submit your deposit. However, it’s not a legally binding contract. You can back out for any reason, and colleges understand if you don’t receive enough financial aid to attend or you have an emergency or illness. But, if you’re simply backing out because you decided against attending, you could face negative consequences.

If you’re rejected, deferred, or wait-listed, you’re welcome to apply to other colleges, including early decision II programs.

What is early action?

Early action (EA) is another early application option, but you’re not obligated to attend if you’re accepted. You typically have until May 1st to make a decision. It’s a fantastic option if you want to express interest in a specific school, apply for EA scholarships, or get an early response.

In most cases, you can apply to as many EA schools as you’d like. However, some colleges have started introducing “restrictive early action,” which states you can only apply to a single EA school. As with early decision applications, applying to more than one college under restrictive early action can result in rejection letters from both.

When are early decision and early action applications due?

Early decision and early action applications are usually due on November 1 or 15, with students hearing back by mid-December or January. Deadlines can vary from school to school – Regis University requires early decision applications by October 1. Always double check with colleges ahead of time.

Some colleges also have early decision II and early action II with January deadlines. Students receive responses around mid-February. If you applied to a school under early decision in November and were rejected in December, you could then apply to a school that offers early decision II.

Advantages of applying to college early

For the most part, early action and early decision share the same advantages:

• You might only have to complete one application. If you apply to your dream school in November and get accepted in December, you won’t have to submit another application. However, you may want to apply to more anyway (if you didn’t apply under early decision) as you’ll have a chance to compare more financial aid offer letters.
• You receive an answer faster. Students applying under regular decision tend to wait two to three months for a response. EA and ED applicants hear back in a matter of weeks.
• You could have a higher chance of being accepted. EA and ED applicants are showcasing their specific interest in a college, which many schools take into account. Early application cycles tend to have higher acceptance rates than regular decision cycles.
• For early action, you don’t have to submit an answer until May 1. Early action isn’t binding, so you have months to decide if you’d like to attend.

Disadvantages of applying to college early

Some of the disadvantages of applying under these application cycles include:

• You have to complete your application sooner. An earlier application due date means completing your application faster. Ask for letters of recommendation as soon as possible.
• The applications only pull from junior year. Unless you’re applying under EA II or ED II in January, your colleges won’t see your senior grades during the review process. However, they’ll likely require a mid-year report even if you were accepted.
• The application pool could be stronger. Most students aren’t applying early and the ones who do are very interested in the school. That could mean you’re up against some stiff competition, which could mean deferral to regular decision or rejection.

Early decision has two other unique downsides:

• You can’t compare financial aid offers. Once you’re accepted to an early decision school, you’re expected to attend in the fall, submit your deposit, and withdraw all other college applications. You won’t receive financial aid offer letters from other schools to compare and you could end up paying more as a result.
• You could face consequences if you withdraw. While you can decide not to attend an ED school you were accepted to for any reason, your school might decide to share your response with other colleges – meaning you may not be accepted to those schools either. Your high school may also refuse to submit your transcripts.

Applying early vs. regular decision acceptance rates

Many top colleges and universities accept more students under EA and ED application cycles than under regular decision. Applicants tend to have impressive applications and schools know students who applied early are very interested in attending. Even those who are waitlisted have a second chance of acceptance during regular decision.

Early action acceptance rates for first-time, first-year degree-seeking students are no longer included on Common Data Sets as of 2024-2025, but here’s a look at five schools and their early decision numbers:

These numbers also don’t necessarily account for students who were deferred to regular decision and later accepted.

Tips for early decision and early action applications

In order to increase your chances of getting your EA or ED applications in on time and improving your admission chances, follow these tips

1. Know the due dates. Most schools require EA or ED applications by November 1 or 15 (and January for EA II and ED II), but these aren’t universal deadlines. Some colleges require your submission by October 1!
2. Start early. ED and EA applications are due months earlier than regular decision. Ask for letters of recommendation and begin brainstorming your essay as soon as possible. If it’s coming down to the wire and your application isn’t finished, consider EA II, ED II, or regular decision instead. You don’t want to hurt your chances by submitting an incomplete application.
3. Take the ACT or SAT a final time. While regular decision students can take their last ACT/SAT in December, your EA/ED school will require a test date by October or earlier.
4. Complete the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1. Submit it as soon as possible to receive financial aid offer letters – some schools will give you early offers if you submit by their early deadlines! You may also have to complete the CSS Financial Aid Profile and state financial aid applications.

Should you apply to other schools after submitting an early application?

Yes, you should start on other college applications after you submit an application under early decision or early action. While schools will get back to you in just a few weeks about your acceptance, you’ll be pressed for time if you receive a rejection letter.

For example, if you hear back from a college that you weren’t accepted on December 15 and another college you’re interested in requires regular decision applications on January 1, you only have a matter of weeks – over the holidays – to submit your forms.

While restrictive early action and early decision do request that you only apply to a single school under early action or early decision, it doesn’t mean you’re completely barred from applying to other colleges.

• For early decision and early decision II, you can apply to colleges under early action and regular decision as long as you haven’t yet been accepted to that early decision school.
• For restrictive early action, you can apply to other schools under regular decision.
• For early action, you can apply to as many early action or regular decision schools as you’d like or to a single early decision college.

Weighing Your Options

Deciding to “wait and see” with your early applications can put you in a stressful situation if you’re deferred or rejected to a specific college. Even if you just get a head start on your applications but don’t submit them until you hear back from your EA or ED school, you can save yourself from a lot of worry in the coming weeks.

Applying under early decision or early action isn’t something you should take lightly. It shows commitment and sincere interest in the college and requires a lot of extra work from you during an already busy senior year. If you do decide to apply early, make sure you have your ducks in a row to increase your chances of getting accepted to your dream school.

Did you know that College Raptor can help you explore your acceptance chances? College Match helps you find schools that match your achievements, test scores, and preferences. Sign up today for free.