What is the Important Difference Between Early Action and Early Decision?

Last Updated on August 12, 2024 by Jill Schwitzgebel

When beginning the college search process, we get hit with a whole new vocabulary we have to learn.  Regular decision.  Rolling Admissions. Early Decision.  Early Action.  The latter two Early Admissions programs are easily confused with each other.  And now we’ve added “Early Notification” to the mix.    Here’s what you need to know:

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Regular Decision

This one is easy.  It’s the latest published date that your student may apply for admission to the college.

• Every college publishes their own regular decision application deadlines.  January or February are common deadlines.
• Your student will receive their answer no later than April 1st.
• Students have until May 1st to commit to the college.

Rolling Admissions

• Specific window for applications, although sometimes indefinite until the class is considered to be full.  Best to apply early in the cycle.
• Students usually receive admissions decisions in four to eight weeks. after they apply.
• Sometimes students are required to commit earlier than the typical May 1st deadline.  This varies.For more info on Rolling Admissions, go to:  How Do Rolling Admissions Work? What You Need to Know

Early Action

If available, this is a great way to apply for a student who has done extensive research and is certain that the college is their first choice.

• Deadlines for Early Action are generally in November sometime.
• Students usually receive an answer by February.
• Students are NOT required to commit to attending this school.
• Sometimes, students are prohibited from applying to more than one school Early Action.  This is called “Single Choice Early Action”.
• Students have until May 1st to commit to the college.

Early Decision

This category causes the greatest confusion.  Families need to be absolutely certain that this school is the student’s first choice and that they will be able to afford it.

• Deadlines for Early Decision are also in November.
• Students generally have their answers no later than December.
•  Students are always prohibited from applying Early Decision to any other colleges.
• If students receive an ED acceptance, they must withdraw all other Regular Decision applications.
• This decision is binding – if accepted, the student must attend this college as long as the student receives a financial aid package that is in line with their Estimated Family Contribution.
• A non-refundable deposit will be due prior to May 1st.

Summer Student Early Notification

This category is new in 2024, and is being pioneered by the University of Chicago and is only for students that attended one of their pre-college summer programs during high school.  Like ED above, it’s appropriate for a student who is absolutely certain of their college choice. The students will need to have demonstrated strong academic ability in their first three years of high school.  If it’s successful, it won’t be surprising to see other competitive colleges add this early admission path in subsequent years.

• Application deadline for this program is October 15th.
• Students will receive a decision in just three weeks.
• Students will sign an Early Decision agreement, so if admitted, the decision is binding and students must withdraw all other applications.
• The student’s deposit will be due by May 1st.

Which Path is Right for Your Student?

Applying for early admissions is appropriate for a student who

• is completely certain early in their senior year that the college is the right fit for them academically, socially and financially.
• has a solid resumé – they are not waiting to re-take the SAT or ACT, they are not waiting for grades that will increase their GPA, and they are not anticipating a leadership appointment that will enhance their application.
• is able to bounce back if they receive a rejection rather than an acceptance.
• wants to maximize their chance of getting accepted, especially if they are borderline academically.  Colleges consistently show that acceptance rates are higher for EA and ED applicants.
• is not counting on receiving merit scholarships to help pay for college.  Experts say that it’s risky to apply early to a college when a student is hoping for scholarships (other than automatic ones) to be able to afford to attend, as it will reduce their negotiating power.

Applying Early Action is more flexible than Early Decision, since it is non-binding.  It allows the student to keep their options open and unlike ED, students still have negotiating power.  I believe that when this option is available, the student should take it.

Early Decision requires more commitment to the college.  While it is possible to back out if your family decides they just cannot afford for the student to attend, know that it has consequences.  It can mean missing deadlines to apply regular decision to other colleges.  And if the college believes the reason for backing out is not actually financial, it will lead to tough conversations, and in some cases, school guidance counselors may refuse to send school transcripts to other colleges.

The benefits to having an early acceptance are undeniable.  It means that your student knows that they will be attending college, so some pressure is off.  It provides a nice confidence boost if your student is applying to other schools as a regular decision applicant.  An early acceptance could also mean filling out fewer applications and saving some money.  It also means a stress-free fall and/or winter break, where your student can kick back and relax after the stress of the past year!

Contact me if you need help deciding which option is right for your student.  Remember, those deadlines are as early as November 1st!

What happens after students receive their early admission results?  Check out After the College Early Admission Result: What Next?