Early Admission Options
Some students have a difficult time developing a strategy to navigate various early admission options. Below is a structured guide to help you evaluate whether Early Decision (ED), Early Decision II (EDII), Early Action (EA), or Restrictive Early Action (REA) is the right choice for your application strategy.
There are four primary early admissions programs:
Early Decision (ED)
Binding commitment: You must enroll if you are accepted.
Restricted: Each student should apply to only one school ED.
Higher acceptance rates: Many colleges admit a larger percentage of students through ED, but this is often due to a more competitive applicant pool that includes legacy applicants, recruited athletes, and highly qualified candidates.
Typical deadline: November 1 or November 15.
Notification date: Mid-December.
Key consideration: You must be fully committed to attending if accepted.
Early Decision II (EDII)
Same commitment as ED but with a later deadline.
It’s a great option if you are deferred or denied in ED at another school.
Allows time to improve your application: This option can be especially beneficial if you were deferred or denied in the ED round but still have a strong application with improved grades, test scores, or additional achievements.
Typical deadline: January 1 or January 15.
Notification date: Mid-February.
Early Action (EA)
Non-binding: You are not obligated to enroll if accepted.
More flexibility: You can apply EA to multiple schools.
Allows you to receive an early admissions decision without the commitment of ED.
Typical deadline: November 1 or November 15.
Notification date: Mid-December to late January.
Restrictive Early Action (REA) / Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)
REA and SCEA are Non-binding but restrictive: If you apply under Restrictive Early Action (REA), you are typically prohibited from applying to private universities through Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA), though policies vary by institution. Always check individual school policies to ensure compliance. However, you may still apply to public universities with non-binding Early Action options.
You may still apply to public universities through EA.
The Typical deadline: November 1.
The Notification date: Mid-December.
Evaluating Whether Early Decision is Right for You
Why Apply Early Decision?
Your chances of admission can increase by applying ED. Some colleges fill a significant portion of their freshman class through ED, and acceptance rates are often higher in this round than in Regular Decision.
Key considerations for applying ED:
Are you certain this is your top-choice school> If you are admitted, you must enroll.
Your academic profile aligns well with the school’s admissions criteria. If your test scores and GPA are competitive, ED can be a strategic advantage.
Are you prepared for the possibility of deferral or rejection? If you apply ED and don’t get in, you need to be ready to pivot to other schools.
Why Not Apply Early Decision?
You are unsure about committing. ED is not a good option if you are uncertain about where you want to go.
Financial aid offers are a critical consideration. If cost is a concern, applying Regular Decision may allow for better financial aid comparisons.
Your application needs time to improve. If your grades or test scores are expected to rise, waiting for Regular Decision might be a better choice.
How GRADCRAFT Can Help
Navigating early admission options can be challenging, but you shouldn’t do it alone. GRADCRAFT provides expert college admissions advising to help you build a strategic application plan, maximize your chances of admission, and position yourself for success. Whether you need guidance on selecting the right early admissions strategy, crafting compelling essays, or ensuring your application is as strong as possible, GRADCRAFT can help.