What's Early Action in the College Application Process?

Can someone explain how early action works for college applications? I'm curious about the pros and cons of applying early and whether it's worth it compared to regular decision applications.

Early Action (EA) is an option provided by certain colleges where you can apply earlier than the normal application deadline, typically in November, and receive your decision earlier, usually before the end of December. The main advantage of EA is getting your admissions decision earlier, which can relieve some stress and give you more time to make your final college choice.

Another potential advantage is that applying EA could theoretically boost your chances of admission. Statistically, colleges often have higher acceptance rates for their early rounds, but this doesn't necessarily mean that applying early will significantly increase your chances of acceptance. Some of these schools have higher EA acceptance rates because stronger students tend to apply earlier.

As for the cons, applying EA can be stressful because it moves all your application materials' deadlines up by a month or two. You might feel rushed to finish your essays and get all your materials together. Also, since you hear back earlier, you could potentially face disappointment or stress earlier in your senior year if you're deferred or rejected.

However, what sets EA apart from Early Decision (ED) is that EA is not binding. In other words, if you're accepted to a school through EA, you don't have to commit to attending that school and can still consider other offers until May 1st, which is the standard deadline for college decisions.

Remember that not all schools offer an EA option. Some offer Early Decision or Restricted Early Action, which have different rules and stipulations. Always check a school's specific policies when deciding your application strategy.

Each student's situation is unique, so whether or not EA is worth it depends largely on individual circumstances, readiness, and the requirements of the particular schools you are interested in. The decision to apply EA should ultimately align with your overall college admissions strategy.