Early Decision vs. Early Action

BIG Ideas:

• Early Decision and Early Action can help you apply to your dream college and receive an admission decision sooner. 
• Early Decision is binding and may improve your chances of admission at your first-choice college. 
• Early Action is not binding and gives you the flexibility to compare financial aid offers while keeping your college options open. 

Planning for college can sometimes feel like being on a game show. Every decision comes with higher stakes than the last. But unlike a game show, there isn’t a lifeline to help you choose the right answer.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make early in the application process is whether to apply for Early Decision vs. Early Action. 

While the names sound similar, they work very differently. Understanding the difference between Early Decision and Early Action can improve your chances of admission, help you keep your college options open, and give you more flexibility when it comes to financial aid and paying for college.

Ready to spin the wheel on these two college choices? Let’s dive into some common questions to help you decide between our two contestants, Early Decision and Early Action.

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?

If you have a dream school in mind and want to get an admission decision quickly, Early Decision and Early Action can help you get there. However, they differ in several important ways, including application deadlines, the level of commitment required, and how they can affect your financial aid options. 

So, before you make any decision, it’s important to understand how each one works.

Meet Contestant #1: Early Decision

If you’ve determined there’s one college that’s the right fit and you’re ready to commit, Early Decision may be the right choice for you. Early Decision lets you apply to your top-choice college before the Regular Decision deadline, so you’ll know if you’ve been accepted months earlier than students who applied via Regular Decision. You usually apply for Early Decision in November and receive an admission decision in December.

So, if you know exactly where you want to go, Early Decision can give you peace of mind and a jump on your college plans. There is, however, one very important thing you need to know: It is binding.

That means if you’re accepted by a school through Early Decision, you’re expected to enroll, provided the financial aid package is sufficient for your family to manage the costs. If it is, you’re also expected to withdraw your applications from any other colleges at which you applied. 

What are the benefits of Early Decision?

For many students, Early Decision offers valuable benefits that can help them achieve their college goals, including: 

• Less waiting. You’ll receive an admission decision earlier, so you’ll know sooner whether your dream school is in your future.
• Possible increased chance of admission. Applying for Early Decision may increase your chances of admission at some schools because it shows your commitment to attending that school.
• Less stress. If you’re accepted, you’ll know where you’re going to college early, allowing you to focus on the rest of your senior year.

What are the drawbacks of Early Decision?

As with anything, there are drawbacks to making your college commitment early with Early Decision: 

• The decision is binding. If you’re accepted, you’re expected to enroll. So, it’s not the right option if you’re still unsure about your college choice.
• Less flexibility to compare financial aid offers. Since you’re committing to one school, you won’t have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages from other colleges.
• Lack of college choices. Once you’re accepted, you won’t have the opportunity to explore other colleges that may fit your interests.

How do you know if Early Decision is right for you?

So now that you know a little more about Early Decision, you may be wondering if it makes sense for you. Here are some clues to help you solve that puzzle:

• You have one college that’s your clear first choice.
• You’re not afraid to commit to attending that college if you’re accepted.
• You and your family can manage the cost and are comfortable with the financial aid package the school offered. 

Meet Contestant #2: Early Action

Like Early Decision, Early Action lets you apply early and receive an admission decision sooner. The biggest difference is that it isn’t binding. You’ll apply early, usually in November, just as you would with Early Decision, and the school may make an admission decision as early as December. 

But there’s a key difference with Early Decision vs. Early Action: If you’re accepted, you don’t have to make your final college decision until May 1, the same deadline as students who apply through Regular Decision. 

What are the benefits of Early Action?

For many students, Early Action can be a win-win. You get an early admission decision and the freedom to keep your options open. Here are some of the other benefits:

• Faster response. You’ll know sooner whether you’ve been accepted than students who apply through Regular Decision. 
• No commitment. Unlike Early Decision, you’re not expected to enroll if you’re accepted. You have until May 1 to make your final decision. 
• Greater financial flexibility. You can compare admission and financial aid offers from multiple colleges before deciding which school is the best fit financially. 
• Keep your options open. Many colleges allow you to apply Early Action to more than one school, giving you the flexibility to compare colleges before making your final choice.

What are the drawbacks of Early Action? 

While Early Action offers many advantages, it also comes with a few drawbacks:

• Earlier deadlines. You’ll need to have your application, including your dreaded essays and supporting docs ready by the Early Action deadline, which is usually in November.
• Increased competition. Many strong students apply through Early Action, which can make admission more competitive at some colleges.
• Senior year grades may not be considered. Because you’re applying earlier, colleges may make their admission decision before seeing your senior-year grades, which could be a disadvantage if your grades increase.  

How do you know if Early Action is right for you?

Here are some clues to help you choose your winner:

• You want an early answer but not an early commitment.
• You want the freedom to compare colleges and financial aid offers.
• You’d like more time to make one of the biggest decisions of your life.

Early Decision vs. Early Action: What’s your final answer?

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea of Early Decision vs. Early Action. Though both can help you get a jump on your college planning and give you peace of mind from having to wait for a decision, they are very different.  The choice that’s right for you really comes down to how determined you are to attend your first-choice school and whether your family can afford the cost. 

Brazos is here to help you make winning decisions 

Whatever you decide about Early Decision vs. Early Action, you may need a private student loan to help manage the costs after you’ve submitted the FAFSA and exhausted your federal financial aid. As a Texas non-profit student loan lender, we offer competitive rates, no fees, and co-signer release to help make college more affordable. Contact us today to learn more.