What Does Early Action vs Regular Decision Mean?

I'm a bit confused about the terms early action and regular decision. What do they actually mean, and how should I decide which one to choose when applying to colleges?

Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD) are two types of admission plans that colleges offer to high school students.

Early Action means you submit your application earlier than the regular deadline, typically in November. In return, you get your admission decision earlier, typically by December or January. The important note: Early Action is non-binding, meaning you are not obligated to attend if you're accepted.

Regular Decision, on the other hand, is the standard application process. Applications usually close in January or February, with decisions released around March or April. If accepted, you have until May 1st (known as National College Decision Day) to decide whether you want to attend.

There can be a few advantages to applying Early Action. For instance, if you're set on a particular school, applying EA could potentially increase your chances of being admitted by showing your enthusiasm for the school. It also allows you to have an admission decision earlier, which can ease some of the stress of the application process.

However, it's crucial to remember that applying Early Action often requires having a well-polished application ready by the fall of your senior year. If you think additional senior year coursework, activities, or time to prepare your application materials will strengthen your application, you might want to consider applying Regular Decision.

Remember, the best time to apply is when you can present your strongest application. Ultimately, the decision should be based on where you are with your college application journey, your level of preparation, and your level of interest in the school.