What does the college early admission process involve?

I'm thinking about applying early decision or early action to my top-choice college but I'm not sure what the early admission process entails. How does it differ from regular decision, and what are the key dates I should be aware of?

The early admission process essentially means that you submit your application before the school's regular deadline, usually around November 1st, though the specific dates can vary from one institution to another. Applying early gives you the benefit of receiving your decision in advance, typically in mid-December. There are two primary kinds of early admissions processes: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA).

Early Decision is a binding agreement you enter into with a college. This means that if you are accepted, you must enroll in that institution and withdraw any applications you might have submitted to other colleges. Because of its binding nature, students can apply ED to just one school. It's best to opt for ED when you have a clear top-choice school and you have evaluated the financial implications since you commit to attending even before seeing your financial aid package.

Early Action, on the other hand, is non-binding. If you apply EA, you'll receive an early response to your application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. This option allows you more flexibility to compare financial aid offerings from different schools before making a final decision.

Some schools offer a variant called Restricted Early Action (also known as Single-Choice Early Action), where students can't apply early to any private school other than that one but aren't required to attend if admitted.

In each case, these early options can be beneficial because they can show your enthusiasm for the school and, depending on the college, it may increase your chances of admission. However, it's important to note that not every college offers ED or EA options.

Remember to check the specific timelines and restrictions on the college's website, as exact dates and rules will differ depending on the institution. Your high school counselor can also be a valuable resource in navigating these early admission processes.