Early Action - What's the deal?

Hey, I was going over college terminology and came across 'early action' a few times. Can any of you explain what early action for colleges means and how it differs from regular admission? I'm trying to figure out if it could be beneficial for me to consider.

Sure, I'd be happy to explain! Early Action (EA) is a type of admission process where students apply to colleges earlier than the standard or Regular Decision (RD) application date. While RD deadlines typically fall in early January, EA deadlines are usually in November of the prior year.

One key difference between these two application methods is when you'll receive your decision. If you apply Early Action, you can expect to hear back from colleges by mid-December or January, which is a lot earlier than Regular Decision responses, which typically arrive in late March or April.

Applying Early Action can have a few potential benefits. Firstly, it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your strong interest in the school, which is something that admissions officers can appreciate. Secondly, applying EA can also give you a small advantage as admission rates tend to be a bit higher for EA applicants than for RD applicants, even if you control for students' profile strengths. This can vary by college, however. And finally, receiving your decision earlier can help reduce stress and give you more time to plan for things like finances and housing.

One critical thing to note is that Early Action is non-binding, meaning if accepted, you are not obligated to enroll at that college. This differs from Early Decision (ED), which is a binding agreement to attend the school if accepted.

Whether you should apply EA depends on a few factors. Are there specific schools you're very interested in? Can you complete a strong application by the EA deadline? Weigh these factors when determining if EA is the right choice for you. For example, if your senior fall grades or test scores might significantly strengthen your application, you might want to apply RD to give colleges the most current view of your academic abilities.