Early Action vs. Early Decision: Definitions, Pros/Cons, and How to Choose

September is just around the corner, which means millions of high school seniors are preparing their early college applications. Students who want to secure their spot at their dream schools typically opt for either early decision or early action, both of which offer a fast response and potential peace of mind for the year to come. While the two options may seem similar, they have separate application deadlines and different parameters to follow. This blog covers the primary differences between early action and early decision, and what they mean for prospective applicants. 

What Does Early Decision and Early Action Mean? 

Early decision and early action refer to two types of college applications. As their names state, these options have due dates earlier than the standard college application. Many high school students choose one of the two for strategic reasons, while others may prefer to receive a response sooner than what’s typically offered. 

What is the Meaning of Early Decision? 

When do early decisions come out? The typical deadline for early decision is at the end of October, and students can usually expect a response from the school by mid-December. The biggest difference between early action and early decision is that early decisions are  binding. If a school responds with an acceptance letter, the student must withdraw all other applications and attend this school. 

What Does Early Action Mean? 

Early action has two different options with separate deadlines. Early Action 1 is usually due November 1, whereas Early Action 2 is due November 15. These dates can vary based on the school, so it’s important to keep track of specific early action deadlines for each school. These options are non-binding, which means you can apply to as many colleges as you’d like without a penalty for accepting one over the other. 

Who Should Apply for Early Action or Early Decision? 

The students best aligned for these two options may fit the characteristics listed below: 

1. Meets or exceeds the typical acceptance profile of the college or university
2. Has a well-prepared college application with an exemplary student profile 
3. Knows exactly which schools they wish to attend
4. Received standardized test scores at or higher than the national average 
5. Maintains a GPA or class rank that fits the school’s typical student profile

Advantages of Early Decision and Early Action

Early college applications can offer a few positive outcomes for the student applicant. 

You’ll Receive Your College Decision Earlier 

No matter which option you choose, you will likely receive an answer much earlier than the standard acceptance timeline. While most colleges and universities will give you an answer by May for standard admissions, these two options will likely provide you an answer between December and February. 

Early Applications Improve Your Odds of Acceptance 

While this is debated among college admissions advisors, there is a higher percentage of students accepted through early decision than through regular admissions. For example, the University of Pennsylvania accepted 25 percent of its early decision applicants compared to 9 percent of standard applicants. 

Receiving an Answer Early Gives You Peace of Mind

Instead of waiting the additional three to five months for a college acceptance response, some students prefer to hear from colleges sooner. It may give them the chance to plan for college earlier, make an unrushed decision about where they plan to attend, or allow them time to apply elsewhere if necessary. 

Disadvantages of Early Action and Early Decision

High school students may want to consider these disadvantages as well when preparing their college application. 

Early Applications Require Extensive Research

Students who use early decision or early action don’t usually take their submissions lightly. Because these colleges may expect a commitment from you, in-depth research may go into the college before you apply. When it comes to early decision, you’ll want to make sure that is your top-choice school before any other options. 

The Early Decision Route is Binding 

If you opt for early decision versus early action, you will likely have to attend the college you apply to. This means you can only submit one application for early decision and submit all other applications as either early action or regular admissions. High school students may have to make a hard choice between top colleges. 

You Have to Prepare Your Documents Earlier 

Submitting your college application earlier than usual means you’ll likely have to complete all submission materials before the rest of your peers. This usually requires students to commit hours to their application during the summer. It can pose potential challenges, especially if you have to juggle other responsibilities, such as a job, homework, or summer camp.  

Is Early Action or Early Decision Right for You? 

This depends on a number of factors; however, the person best equipped to decide is you. If you have a clear understanding of your top school’s expectations and have strong odds of getting accepted, early action or early decision may work well for you. There may be a school that you dream of attending, and receiving feedback from it sooner might put you at ease. No matter your decision, be sure to consider all possible avenues and plan accordingly for each.