EA College Application?

I'm starting to look at colleges and their application deadlines, and I keep seeing 'EA' pop up. Can someone clarify what an EA college is, and how applying EA is different from other application processes?

EA stands for Early Action, which is an application option offered by some colleges. When you apply EA, you typically submit your application earlier than the regular decision deadline (usually around November), and you receive your admissions decision earlier as well (usually in December or January).

The main difference between Early Action and Regular Decision is the timeline. EA allows you to learn the outcome of your application sooner but does not have a binding agreement. That means if you're accepted through EA, you're not required to enroll at the college, and you can still consider other college options. You have until the May 1st deadline to make your final decision.

There's also a variation called Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) offered by some highly-selective colleges. In this case, you can only apply to one college with this option, and you're restricted from applying Early Decision (ED) or Early Action to other private colleges. However, REA/SCEA is still non-binding, so you still have until May 1st to make your final decision.

Applying EA can have some advantages. First, you can receive an admissions decision earlier in the application cycle, which can provide peace of mind and reduce stress. Additionally, some schools may have higher acceptance rates during the EA round, although this varies and should be researched for each specific college. However, you should be aware that applying Early Action requires you to have your application materials (essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) ready earlier in the fall.

In summary, EA is an earlier, non-binding college application option that lets you learn your admissions decision ahead of time. It can be a preferential choice if you're prepared to submit your application materials early and would like to know your college options sooner.