Early Action Vs. Early Decision

NEXTSTEPU | COLLEGE PLANNING

Do you want to get your college offer EA and ED programs. The 2. Take your standardized tests applications in before everyone College Board counts more than early. Don’t leave the ACT or SAT else? You can! Consider applying 400. For example, Cal Tech, MIT, to the last minute. early action and early decision. University of Chicago, Notre Dame and the University of Michigan at 3. Ask for your teacher recom- WHAT ARE EARLY ACTION AND Ann Arbor all offer EA programs. mendations as soon as you get EARLY DECISION? Duke, Northwestern, Johns Hop- back to school. Teachers are busy Early action (EA) and early de- kins, Wake Forest and NYU all and will need time to complete cision (ED) are programs many offer ED programs. this important part of your colleges have in place that let you application. submit your college applications WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE 4. Start working on your applica- early (usually in November) and THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING tion essays as soon as the ap- get an admissions decision early IN EARLY? (usually by January). If you have Early applicants have a higher per- plications become available. You done your research and know centage of admission than regular need to brainstorm, draft, and edit there are schools you would at- applicants, mostly because early these essays carefully in order to tend above all others, then EA and applicants are sending a very clear present the best, most polished ED could be great options for you. message to the admissions office. version of them possible. Be careful, though — although They are saying, “Your school is Once you’ve submitted your appli- they sound similar, each program my first choice!” Admissions of- cations, sit back and try to relax. has different rules. ficers want enthusiastic students, and early applicants are just that. Have questions about applying to WHO OFFERS EARLY ACTION college? Explore college applica- AND EARLY DECISION? WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? tion articles at NextStepU.com/ In addition to the schools listed 1. Make a calendar of important college-application.cat. above, there are many others that dates and deadlines.

EARLY ACTION OR EARLY DECISION Early Action programs are: Early Decision programs are:

1. Non-exclusive. With a few notable exceptions, you 1. Exclusive. You can only apply to one college can apply to as many schools via EA as you want. via ED. You can still apply to other schools, but they all have to be via regular decision. With ED, 2. Non-binding. If you get accepted via EA, you don’t students apply to their first-choice school early have to attend that school. You also don’t have to and promise to attend if accepted. withdraw all other college applications. EA programs are a good fit for students who have a few schools 2. Binding. If you apply to a college via ED and they would love to attend, but don’t have a front- you get in, you have to go. You will also have runner. to withdraw all other applications to all other schools. Both Early Action and Early Decision programs are: Early Action and Early Decision both have earlier deadlines than regular decision programs. With either program, you will get an admission decision much earlier than if you apply via regular decision.