Early action for college is a non-binding admission process allowing students to apply earlier, typically by November, and receive decisions by December or January. It offers flexibility, as students can apply to other schools and do not need to commit immediately upon acceptance.
For many college-hopefuls, the worst part about applying for college isn’t writing application essays or figuring out which schools to apply to—it’s the waiting. After visiting countless college campuses, applying for college scholarships, and just getting hyped for uni life in general, you now have to wait until the spring of your senior year to find out your fate.
Unless…you submit a college application early…
Turns out, many colleges and universities offer early decision (ED) and early action (EA) admissions that allow students to apply to college early. You probably know all about ED, the strongest “card to play” in the college admissions game. But have you heard about early action?
Early Action for College Applications?
In a regular admissions cycle, college applications are typically due sometime in January and February, with a response expected in March or April. But if you’re applying early action, it simply means that you’re applying for college and receiving a decision well in advance of the school’s regular response time.
EA can come in two different forms: standard early action and restrictive early action (also known as single-choice early action). Both forms are non-binding, which means that you are not obligated to attend the school if you get accepted.
However, with restrictive early action (REA), you usually can’t apply REA to other private institutions. Many private institutions such as Yale allow you to apply to a public institution’s early admissions program, so long as the agreement isn’t binding.
The bottom line: If you choose to apply early action, be sure to check the school’s website to read the program’s rules.
Advantages of Applying Early Action
So, why would someone bother to apply EA? Here are a few reasons why submitting an early application could be a smart move:
- Indicates demonstrated interest: Demonstrated interest is one of the things that some (but not all) college admissions officers look for in student applicants. By applying EA (or even better, REA), you can indicate a high interest in attending the school, which may potentially boost your chances of admission.
Related: What Do Colleges Look for?
- Helps reduce stress/anxiety: Not knowing where you stand with your dream school can be super stressful. Another thing that can raise your anxiety levels: watching all of your friends who applied EA get accepted to their dream schools while your fate is just one big question mark. Honestly, you may want to consider applying EA just so you can chill the eff out.
- Allows you to weigh financial aid packages: For students who require financial aid, applying EA or REA is much less risky. That’s because when you apply early decision, you’re basically stuck with whatever financial aid package they give you—even if another college offers you something better. When you apply EA or REA, you’re free to compare financial aid packages, which is a big deal if you’re depending on financial aid to pay for college.
- Frees up more of your time: Another low-key advantage to submitting your college application early is that it frees up your senior year. We mean, this is the last time you’ll be taking classes from your favorite teachers and hanging out with your high school friends. Go ahead: Knock out that application and then live yo’ best life.
Who Should Apply Early Action?
Now, you may be wondering: Why wouldn’t someone apply early action? EA is non-binding, so there’s nothing to lose, right?
Well, not necessarily. It’s important to point out that EA admission cycles don’t take your senior year grades into consideration. This may not be a big deal for students who already meet their dream school’s college GPA requirements, but if your GPA isn’t high, you may be better off applying regular decision.
Applying early action could also be a bad move if you’re rushing through your application to meet the deadline (which is most commonly in early November). If you’re not ready to submit your application, you’re probably better off applying regular decision.
In general, you should consider applying early action if:
- You have a dream school, but still want to weigh all of your options carefully
- You already meet GPA requirements
- You’ve done your financial aid homework
- You’re actually ready to apply
Getting a Response After Applying Early Action
When you finally get a response (usually in December or January), be prepared for one of three answers: acceptance, rejection, or deferment to the regular admissions cycle.
Try to remember that being deferred is not a rejection. It means your application was strong enough that college admissions officers didn’t want to let you go just yet.
All in all, there are few downsides to applying early action for college. Still, you might want to talk to your school counselor before you submit your application early. It never hurts to get a second opinion from someone who knows your situation!
Are you looking into early admission programs? We’d love to hear how it’s going. Share with the Tallo Community.
Popular Questions
Below are common questions we get asked about this topic.
Can early action applicants defer their admission to take a gap year?
Yes, most early action colleges allow admitted students to defer their enrollment for a gap year. Unlike early decision, early action is non-binding, giving students more flexibility.
However, policies vary by school, so it’s crucial to check with the admissions office about their deferral process. Some institutions may require a formal request and approval, while others have more lenient policies for early action applicants.
How does applying early action affect merit-based scholarships?
Applying early action can potentially increase your chances of receiving merit-based scholarships. Many colleges allocate a significant portion of their merit aid to early applicants.
By submitting your application early, you position yourself at the front of the line for consideration. However, it’s important to note that some schools may reserve a portion of their merit aid for regular decision applicants to ensure a fair distribution.
Can students apply early action to multiple schools while also applying early decision to one?
Generally, yes. Most early action policies allow students to apply to multiple schools, including one early decision college. However, if accepted to the early decision school, the student must withdraw all other applications, including early action ones.
It’s important to carefully review each school’s policies, as some have restrictive early action policies that may limit your options.
How do colleges view senior year grades for early action applicants?
Colleges typically review early action applications based on grades through junior year and the first quarter of senior year. However, many schools will request mid-year reports to evaluate the student’s academic performance during senior year. A significant drop in grades could potentially affect an early action offer.
It’s essential for early applicants to maintain strong academic performance throughout their senior year to secure their admission.
How does applying early action affect financial aid offers?
Early action applicants often receive financial aid offers earlier than regular decision applicants. This allows high school students to compare financial aid offers from multiple early action schools well before the traditional May 1 decision deadline.
However, it’s important to note that some colleges may not have finalized their financial aid budgets when making early action admissions decisions. In these cases, early action applicants might receive updated or revised financial aid offers closer to the regular decision notification date.
Can early action improve chances at highly selective institutions?
While early action can demonstrate strong interest in a school, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee improved odds of admission at highly selective institutions. These colleges often have similarly competitive applicant pools for both early and regular admissions.
However, applying early action can result in receiving an admission decision earlier, which can be beneficial for college planning. Some early action schools may fill popular programs during the early round, potentially limiting options for regular decision applicants. It’s important for high school students to carefully consider their academic profile, test scores, and overall application strength when deciding whether to apply early to highly selective colleges.
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