Amherst Early Action vs Regular Decision

Hey folks! I'm interested in applying to Amherst College, but I'm not sure whether I should apply Early Action or Regular Decision. What are the pros and cons of each? What's the deadline for each of them?

Hello! When it comes to applying to Amherst College, you have a couple of options: Early Decision and Regular Decision. Amherst does not offer Early Action but instead has an Early Decision (ED) program. Let me break down the main differences between the two:

Early Decision:

- Deadline: November 1st

- Binding: If accepted, you are committed to attend Amherst and must withdraw applications from all other schools.

- Decision notification: Mid-December

Pros:

1. Demonstrates strong interest in attending Amherst, which may boost your chances of acceptance.

2. You'll find out about your admissions decision earlier.

3. If accepted, the rest of your senior year will be less stressful as you know where you'll be attending college.

Cons:

1. Binding: You must attend if accepted and cannot compare financial aid packages from other schools.

2. Less time to polish your application materials as the deadline is earlier.

Regular Decision:

- Deadline: January 3rd

- Non-binding: You can apply to multiple colleges and decide where to attend after receiving acceptance letters and comparing financial aid packages.

- Decision notification: late March

Pros:

1. Non-binding, so you have more freedom in choosing where to attend and compare financial aid offers.

2. More time to work on your application and potentially improve your credentials (grades, extracurriculars, awards, etc.).

Cons:

1. Later decision notification, meaning a longer waiting period and potentially more stress during your senior year.

Ultimately, it depends on your commitment to Amherst and your readiness to apply. If Amherst is your top choice and you're ready to commit, Early Decision might be a good choice for you. However, if you want more flexibility in choosing schools and the ability to compare financial aid offers, Regular Decision might be more suitable.

Best of luck with your application process!