Are chances better with early action or regular decision?

I'm debating whether to apply early action or just wait for regular decision. Do people generally have better chances with early action, or is it pretty much the same? Looking for advice based on experiences if possible!

When considering application timelines, it's important to look at the statistics; on average, applying Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) can positively impact your chances of admission. As per recent data, applying ED to highly selective schools can result in about a 1.6x or 60% increase in admission chances, effectively making a 4% chance into a 6.4% admission chance, a substantial increase.

But when comparing Early Action and Regular Decision, it's a little different. While EA does still offer an advantage, it's typically smaller than the ED advantage, mainly because EA doesn't require a commitment to attend if admitted, so the yield benefits that colleges appreciate from ED aren't applicable here.

However, it's crucial to mention that these statistics are broad averages and the specific impact can vary greatly from school to school. Some institutions might not see a substantial difference between EA and RD admission rates, while others might.

The core of Early Action is allowing you to showcase your keen interest in the college, yet maintaining the flexibility to compare different colleges' offers before making your final decision. Applying EA can, therefore, be a strategic choice if you've set your sights on a particular institution but are still open to other possibilities.

Remember, however, that your application must be well-prepared and comprehensive. Applying EA simply to "get it out of the way" without making sure your application showcases your strengths could do more harm than good, so don't rush the process for the sake of an EA submission if you don't feel ready.

So yes, statistically, people generally may have better admission chances with Early Action compared to Regular Decision, albeit the exact extent of this advantage can vary. Make the choice that best suits your application readiness and college preferences!