What's the deal with Early Decision vs. Early Action?

Hey friends, I'm a little bit stressed about understanding the differences between Early Decision and Early Action. Can someone please explain the pros and cons of each, and how they might affect my chances of getting into my top-choice colleges? Thanks a ton!

Hey there! No worries, it's common to feel a bit stressed when it comes to understanding Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) options. Let me help you with that! Early Decision is a binding agreement, meaning if you're accepted, you're committed to attending that college and withdrawing all other applications. It's great if you have a clear top-choice school and can demonstrate your strong interest. This might increase your chances of acceptance, but remember, financial aid packages might be harder to compare since you're committing to just one school. On the other hand, Early Action is non-binding. You can apply to multiple schools and aren't required to commit until the regular decision deadline (usually May 1st). This gives you more time to compare schools and financial aid offers. Generally, both options have earlier deadlines than Regular Decision and can result in higher acceptance rates. Ultimately, the choice depends on your level of certainty and flexibility. Best of luck!