Is early action really better than regular decision?

I'm torn between applying early action or regular decision to a few colleges. Is early action actually better in terms of acceptance rates or any other benefits?

Indeed, applying Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) can have significant advantages over Regular Decision (RD) when considering acceptance rates. Generally, acceptance rates are noticeably higher for EA and ED applicants. Data on average suggests an acceptance boost of 1.6x or a 60% increase when applying ED and a smaller boost for EA, since EA isn't binding and doesn't guarantee yield benefits for the college.

This increase is meaningful— for instance, if otherwise your acceptance odds were 4%, applying ED could increase them to about 6.4%, which is an additional 2.4 percentage points. But remember, this improvement can vary widely between schools.

Aside from acceptance rates, applying early often gives assurance sooner since decisions often are released in mid-December, allowing you more time to plan and prepare. Also, applying EA indicates a strong interest in the college, which can occasionally play a role in admissions decisions.

Nonetheless, balance these advantages with your preparedness. If you need more time to polish your application or improve your grades, consider waiting for RD. Do a self-assessment of your current application strength and decide if it merits an early application.

In summary, if you're confident in the strength of your application and certain about your school choice, applying EA or ED can definitely have advantages. But remember it's essential to tailor your application strategy to your personal situation.