Should I choose Early Action over Regular Decision?

I'm debating between applying Early Action or Regular Decision to some schools. Besides the obvious timeline difference, are there any strategic reasons to choose one over the other?

Yes, there are several strategic considerations to keep in mind when deciding between Early Action and Regular Decision.

First, applying Early Action often demonstrates to the institution that it is one of your top choices, which could influence their admissions decision, particularly for schools that consider demonstrated interest in their admissions process. Remember that demonstrated interest can vary from one institution to another, so you'll want to research the specific schools you're interested in.

Second, applying Early Action can increase your chances of admission at many schools. The boost is more significant for Early Decision, where you commit to attending if accepted, but there's still often a notable increase in likelihood of admission for Early Action applicants too. On average, applying ED results in a 1.6x increase in your chances of admission at super selective schools. The benefit becomes less pronounced the less selective the school is. For EA, the increase is smaller since you're not obligated to attend if accepted, but it is still often an advantage.

It's also worth noting that some schools offer a non-binding Early Action option, which allows you to apply early, receive an admissions decision early, but without committing to attend if accepted. This can give you the advantage of knowing where you stand with that school, which can reduce some of the stress later in the application cycle.

One potential downside to Early Action is that you might need to complete your applications earlier, which can put pressure on if you’re still working on parts of your application like your personal statement or supplemental essays. You'll want to ensure you've given yourself enough time to thoroughly prepare these components of your application.

Additionally, if you apply Early Action and you're not accepted, some schools might defer you to the Regular Decision applicant pool, which could extend the uncertainty about your admission status.

In conclusion, there are pros and cons to both Early Action and Regular Decision. It essentially boils down to figuring out what is right in your specific situation, considering factors like your readiness to submit a strong application early in the admissions cycle versus the benefits of potentially increased chances that EA can offer.