Early Admissions Plans in US Colleges and Universities

Understanding Early Admissions Plans at U.S. Colleges and Universities

Students applying for fall term admission to US colleges and universities often have multiple admissions cycles to choose from, usually differentiated by “Early” and “Regular” deadlines and notification dates. The two primary early admissions plans are Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED). While both provide the benefit of early notification, they differ significantly in terms of commitment and flexibility. Understanding these differences is important for students to make informed decisions that best align their goals with university policies.

Early Action (EA):
Early Action is a non-binding early admissions process. Students applying under this plan can submit their applications earlier, typically by November, and receive decisions anywhere from late November to early February. Here are some key characteristics of Early Action:

• Non-Binding: Students are not obligated to attend the college if accepted. This allows them to apply to multiple schools and compare offers before making a final decision by the national response date, usually May 1.
• Flexibility: Students can apply to multiple institutions under Early Action, except in cases of Restrictive Early Action (REA). REA – used by a small number of institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford – typically allows students to apply early to only one private institution while still applying to others through regular decision.*
• Financial Aid Considerations: Since EA is non-binding, students have the flexibility to compare final financial obligations at different colleges, making it a favorable option for those who need to consider financial implications thoroughly.

Early Decision (ED):
Early Decision is a binding admissions process. Students who apply ED commit to attending the college if accepted, which means they must withdraw all other applications if they are admitted. Key aspects of Early Decision include:

• Binding Commitment: Students can apply to only one ED college. If accepted, they are required to attend and must withdraw any other applications.
• Frequent Higher Acceptance Rates: ED applicants often enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to regular decision applicants. This is partly because colleges appreciate the certainty of enrollment that ED provides, which helps them manage their enrollment projections more effectively.
• Financial Commitment: ED can be less advantageous for students who need to compare financial offers, as they must commit to the institution without knowing the full extent of financial packages from other schools. At the same time, some colleges prioritize Early Decision applicants when it comes to financial aid and scholarships. These are important topics to discuss with your counselor when considering ED plans.

Differences Between Early Action and Early Decision:

The primary differences between EA and ED revolve around commitment, flexibility, and financial considerations:

Strategic Considerations for Applicants:
When deciding between EA and ED, students should consider several factors:

• Certainty of Choice: ED is suitable for students who have a clear first-choice college and are confident in their decision to attend if accepted. EA, on the other hand, is ideal for students who want to keep their options open.
• Financial Aid Needs: Students who need to evaluate financial aid packages should consider EA to maintain the flexibility to compare offers. ED applicants should be confident that the financial aid package from their chosen school will meet their needs.
• Application Readiness: Both EA and ED require students to prepare their applications earlier than Regular Decision. Students should ensure their academic records, test scores, and other application materials are strong enough to support an early application. Regular Decision deadlines are often two months or more after early admissions deadlines, and RD decision notifications are released from late February through early April.
  Some schools offer an Early Decision II (EDII) opportunity, usually around the Regular Decision deadline of January 1, so students can potentially apply Early Decision twice.

Early admissions plans can offer some advantages for students ready to apply and to make their college decisions early. However, the choice between Early Action and Early Decision depends on individual circumstances, including the student’s certainty about their college choice, financial considerations, and readiness to commit to one option. We work carefully with international students and their families to help them make decisions on early application plans that align with their educational goals and priorities, and to help allay any stress that can be caused by deciding between these different options. While learning about EA and ED plans can feel like learning a new language at times, there are benefits to exploring these options for many international applicants, and we are here to help!

*Every Restrictive Early Action (REA) policy is unique, and it’s important to examine restrictions carefully to make sure any school’s particular policy aligns with the overall goals of your application process.