Early Decision vs. Early Action: What's the Difference?

I keep hearing about Early Decision and Early Action as application options, but I'm a bit confused about how they differ. Can anyone explain the differences between them? I'm trying to decide if I should apply to my dream school through one of these options but want to be sure about the commitment levels and deadlines involved with each. Also, any advice on the pros and cons of each would be greatly appreciated!

Sure, I'd be happy to explain! Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are both early application options, but they come with different rules and commitments.

Early Decision is a binding agreement. If you apply ED to a school and are accepted, you're expected to enroll there and withdraw all other applications. Typically, you can only apply ED to one college. The one exception to the binding commitment is if the financial aid package you receive makes it financially unfeasible for you to attend the school. This is something to keep in mind if financial considerations are a significant part of your college decision.

Early Action, on the other hand, is non-binding. You can apply EA to a school and, if admitted, you are not required to commit immediately. You can still apply to other schools and have until the usual May 1st deadline to make your final decision.

There are advantages to both options. Applying ED can show a college that it's your first-choice school, which might give you a slight edge in the admissions process. As mentioned earlier, applying ED could increase your admission chances. Applying EA has the benefits of an early response, potentially lessening anxiety, and more time to make your decision or continue applying to other colleges.

Keep in mind that whether you choose to apply ED or EA, these applications have earlier deadlines than Regular Decision applications—often in November, so you'll need to be prepared to submit your application sooner.

Lastly, only some schools offer these options, so you'll need to check with the specific schools you're interested in applying to see what application options they offer.

In terms of what's best for you, that depends on your personal situation. If you're absolutely certain about your dream school and believe you have a strong application ready to go early in your senior year, ED might be a good choice. However, if you want more time to consider your options, compare financial aid packages or are applying to a competitive scholarship program with elsewhere, EA might suit your needs better.