Georgetown EA: Pros and Cons?

Hey guys! I'm considering applying to Georgetown early action (EA). Can anyone share their experiences, pros and cons of applying EA? Are there any significant advantages or disadvantages I should be aware of before making my decision?

Applying to Georgetown under their Early Action (EA) plan has several pros and cons to consider. Here's a breakdown of some important aspects:

Pros:

1. Early results: Applying EA allows you to receive an admission decision earlier (usually in mid-December) compared to Regular Decision (usually in March/April). This timeline can relieve stress by providing clarity on your college options sooner.

2. Demonstrated interest: Applying early can signal to the admissions committee that Georgetown is one of your top choices, which may give your application a slight edge, as Georgetown likes to admit students who are likely to attend if accepted.

3. Higher acceptance rates: Historically, EA applicants have had higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision applicants, although it's still essential to put together as strong an application as possible, as there's still no guarantee of anything..

4. No binding commitment: Unlike Early Decision (ED) plans, EA at Georgetown is not binding. Even if you're admitted, you're not obligated to attend and apply to other schools, compare financial aid packages, visit campuses, and weigh pros and cons before making a decision in May.

Cons:

1. Less time to improve your application: Applying EA means you have less time to polish your application, improve test scores, or add meaningful achievements to your resume.

2. Potential for deferral: There is the possibility that Georgetown may defer your application to the Regular Decision pool, which can be discouraging and lead to a longer, more uncertain waiting period. However, if you're deferred you do have the opportunity to enhance your application and update it with new achievements or information between the early and regular decision timelines.

3. No opportunity to negotiate financial aid: With EA, you cannot directly compare and negotiate financial aid offers from other schools since you receive your decision and aid package in December, whereas most other schools send their offers in March or April. So, your college process may not be over even if Georgetown is your top-choice school and you are accepted.

Ultimately, the decision to apply EA versus Regular Decision depends on your individual circumstances and confidence in your application. If Georgetown is one of your top choices and you feel your application is strong enough by the early deadline, EA may be a good option. However, if you believe you need more time to improve your application and have concerns about financial aid, Regular Decision might be a better choice.

Regardless of when you choose to apply to Georgetown, consider checking out CollegeVine's blog post breaking down how to respond to their application essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-georgetown-university-essays. While EA acceptance rates are known to be slightly higher than RD, Georgetown is a highly selective institution regardless, and essays are often what sets one qualified applicant apart from another. Best of luck!