Beginning for the 2021 application cycle, Early Action will be divided into two rounds. Regular Decision. According to the 2019 State of College Admission Report released by NACAC, colleges reported higher acceptance rates for early action and early decision applicants, compared with … Create a free account and However, taking the time to understand how the schools you’ve chosen to apply to work can space out your application timeline and prioritize your top-choice schools. Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. The Early Action application date is non-binding, and the application and evaluation is the same as for Regular Decision. The most common EA deadline is November 1, with November 15 as a close runner up. Complete your application by the November 1 priority deadline and receive an admission decision (or deferral) by February 1. University of California system schools have a acceptance rates as low as 16 percent, but most do not offer any early action processes. Neither of our deadlines results in a binding decision, and both have the same May 1 enrollment deadline. All options aren’t going to be perfect for you, so here’s what I have come to know about these options. Applicants can usually apply for multiple schools using early action. Also, for some colleges, the pool of applicants for Early Action may have higher test scores than the college/university’s average, making it more difficult to get in. We compare Early Decision vs. The admit rate for Regular Decision applicants was 24%. Also, for some colleges, the pool of applicants for Early Action may have higher test scores than the college/university’s average, making it more difficult to get in. To learn more about how we store and use this data, visit our privacy policy here. Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. There are many state schools that are highly selective, yet the application model is much less extensive. Need help getting started on your college search? Stanford University Regular Decision. However, if the Early Decision acceptance rate was adjusted to exclude … Applying Early Action is also considered “non-binding,” so if accepted, you do not have to go to that college as opposed to Early Decision, which is like a “binding contract” with the college/university. Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Therefore, you can get your college applications finished in the first semester of high school and focus on things like scholarships during second semester. “If a student is asking and saying [they] just don’t know what to do, we’d like to have them apply earlier because it allows us more time during their senior year to work with them to get any additional information we might need,” said Kevin MacLennan, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Early action (EA) and early decision (ED) are types of early admission, in contrast … Just… go get ‘em. Only the dates of the deadlines! Your application is deferred to Regular Decision and will receive a final decision by April 1. They may request additional information such as senior year grades, updated test scores, or other proof of academic, extracurricular, and collegiate merit. Colin Pfeiffer, a Senior Mentor at. Regular Admission Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Stanford University has extended its policy of non-disclosure of its complete admissions numbers to the regular decision. Options vary from Regular Decision to Early Action to Early Decision. “We want to be fair to applicants throughout the process so when students are applying across the year, our admissions requirements don’t change,” said MacLennan in regards to how CU Boulder views both EA and RD applicants, “we look at that whole pool together.”. Plus, this will threaten your chances of getting into these institutions in the first place as colleges communicate with each other to ensure this doesn’t happen. Early action . Colin Pfeiffer, a Senior Mentor at Admissionado, explains the benefit to the school in terms of building a cohort that will be the most successful at the university. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted 1,410 students out of 21,312 applicants for the Class of 2023 for an acceptance rate of 6.62 percent. Last year, Stanford declined to release the number of candidates admitted in December through Stanford’s Restrictive Early Action program. Early-round admissions are the new normal at elite U.S. universities including Harvard, which last year admitted 14.5% of early-action applicants versus 3.3% from the regular pool. Early Action (non-binding)- November 1 st. Rules about whether you can apply to other schools (and what type of other schools you can apply to) may differ by college. All rights reserved. There are other factors that go into whether you should apply early or not, but if you have the option to submit a stellar application either way, colleges say to go for it and get your application submitted ASAP. The main differences between early action, early decision and regular decision college applications include the timing of application deadlines, the timing of admissions notifications and whether acceptances are binding upon the applicant. All rights reserved. Join the CollegeXpress community! Admission decisions include: admit, deferred to Regular Decision, or denied. Another situation where utilizing extra time would be beneficial is if you have not done enough research on potential colleges. Ithaca, NY, Carlow University College essays must be prepared and edited in less time as well (since most colleges’ essay questions come out August 1, regardless of how you are applying). You’re going to be thrown in with all the other go-getters. The college application process has various options when it comes to how early to submit your materials. Early action versus regular decision is a hotly debated choice that every college applicant has to make. “See if it makes sense rather than trying to cram something in that’s not going to reflect well on you,” said Pfeiffer, “there’s no point in sending the application fee if its only to receive a rejection.”. Early Decision allows you to demonstrate your commitment to enroll at Boston College. Applying Early Decision is similar to early action, but if accepted, you must attend that college/university, which is why if you go that route, it’s best to choose this option for your very top-choice school. Regular Decision: College Application Myths Debunked. “It’s about balance and making sure that you’re able to take the people that you’re really excited about, but that you’re also saving room for when regular decision rolls around and you get even more incredible candidates from the pipeline,” said Pfeiffer from a university admissions standpoint. They will receive an admission decision by January 15 and, if accepted, have until June 1 to make their final decision. Early Action vs. Thread Early Action vs. This may make graduation season a bit more hectic as you realize you will be packing your bags to head off somewhere in roughly three months. It is fine to apply during either cycle. If applying Regular Decision, you may not hear back from the college or university until the spring or at the end of the school year. Make sure you don’t waste your time and money applying to schools you are not actually interested in. Applying Early Action is also considered “non-binding,” so if accepted, you do not have to go to that college as opposed to Early Decision, which is like a “binding contract” with the college/university. I'm an active high school student involved with extracurricular activities such as soccer, basketball, and track. Reading, PA, University of Colorado Boulder Search by location, major, admission difficulty, and more with, 15 Ways to Make the Most of Your Winter Break, How to Save Money and Take Years Off Your Student Loan. But, if you can’t do it as early as you want to and you need to wait until the second round, then that’s OK too.”. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Policy. Those interested in the Early Action plan must select that option on the application and submit the application for admission on or before December 1. Actually sitting down with those ED applicants and seeing what the class has to offer is really instructive for what kind of class they want to be building over the course of the year.”. We offer two deadlines simply because we want to give you more options. I find this fitting for me because it will be nice to have my future planned and then focus on finishing the second semester of senior year strong. “If we saw that you were doing some additional things to strengthen your record, we would actually request to see those before we made a final decision,” said MacLennan. This may be the best option for you if you are planning on retaking the ACT or SAT for a higher score to increase your chances of being accepted or to be eligible for more scholarships. I aim to be known as someone who always makes the time to help others. Some may only offer Regular Decision and Early Action, while other colleges may have a rolling deadline and begin to mail decisions two weeks after receiving your application. My favorite thing to do is experience new adventures through traveling and vacations with family. Early Action. If you are trying to boost your GPA, waiting to submit your college applications until grades from the first semester of your senior year are available might be the right choice for you. Find out if your colleges of interest offer a variety of admission plans using our College Search tool. Early Action decision release — by late January Final equal consideration deadline — February 1. This is a final decision, and you may not reapply in Regular Decision. All rights reserved. Not sure what ‘Early Decision’ and ‘Early Action’ mean? The main reason colleges offer two application cycles is to space things out for the admissions officers so they can look at individual applications more extensively, as well as have more time to evaluate an incoming class as a whole. Early Decision is binding whereas Early Action is not. Applying Regular Decision also gives one more time to perfect those college essays. What’s the difference? This article  features university perspectives as well as senior mentor insight to give you the facts–and dispel the myths–of application timing. Directory Data is copyrighted material under license to CollegeXpress and which is reproduced by permission of CollegeXpress. You may not be well informed on the schools to which you are applying. Related: The 5 Types of College Application Deadlines. Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. When it comes down to it, choosing which application path is right for you is pretty simple: if you’re ready, apply early, if not, don’t rush it, and, be sure to play by the rules. Early decision applies to only one school and is a binding agreement. “Early action and early decision gives [colleges] the opportunity to see what’s out there,” said Pfeiffer. This is why early action is encouraged, but waiting for regular decision does not necessarily decrease your admittance odds. What? Regular Decision Admission Rates. Early Action vs. Early decision applications are binding, so sending multiple applications through early decision may mean you will end up legally bound to attend multiple universities. Both programs have the advantage of receiving an admissions decision early, often in December. Regular Author Date within 1 day 3 days 1 week 2 weeks 1 month 2 months 6 months 1 year of Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04 Regular Decision: College Application Myths Debunked, Yes, this is a thing. Yes, this is a thing. Boulder, CO, $1,000 Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship, Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students, CollegeXpress Refer a Friend $500 Monthly Scholarship, Colleges That Meet the Financial Needs of Students, Colleges with Strength in Men's Cross-Country: Division III, Scholarship Criteria That Can Increase Your Opportunities, The Best College Extracurriculars to Strengthen Your Resume, Video: College Essay Q&A With Expert Kim Lifton, How and Why to Save for Retirement in Your 20s, by Madisen MartinezCollegeXpress Student Writer Pfeiffer explained that parents and students sometimes assume “there are no consequences to applying to multiple schools early decision, which is not true. have to go to a school if you get accepted there through early action, as this process functions similarly to regular decision with an early deadline. Note: Students who apply via Early Action but don’t meet the requirements or deadlines will be rolled into the regular decision applicant pool. Early action and early decision allow you to apply earlier than regular admission. Regular Decision The standards used for the admission review, the Liberal Arts Honors Program review, merit scholarship review, and the need-based financial aid review are the same for both the Early Action and Regular Decision groups. Use this infographic for reference: See also: Applying Early: Your Early Decision Options Defined. Early action programs are a hybrid. Press Esc to cancel. Need help getting started on your college search? Tags: Those applying Regular Decision will have a later deadline to submit their application (typically anywhere from early December to late January). For example, a state school like CU Boulder uses a simple early action model, where there are two application deadlines: early action and regular decision. ©2020 Peterson's LLC. I also want to give back to my country by serving in the military after college. Early Action, Starting Your Senior Year: 4 Things You Need to Do. college admission This is a big college application no-no. This is where things get tricky and you will have to do your research. Students applying early also let the school know they are very interested in attending. What’s the difference, and why does it matter? Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. Applying early can increase your chances of acceptance and give you more time to make your plans for college.The key difference between early round applications is that Early Decision is binding, while Early Action and Restrictive Early Action are not. These universities assume they will be higher on your “wish list”, so they can afford to make these types of restrictions. The obvious advantage of early action over early decision is the opportunity it gives you to apply to, and ultimately compare financial aid packages from several schools. Just like in Early Action, students can be waitlisted or rejected from Early Decision but may be considered during the Regular Decision period. Regular Decision If you’re applying as a first-year student, you’ll choose one of our two deadline plans—Early Action or Regular Decision. Not all deadlines are the same for every college/university, so be sure to check out the undergraduate admissions page of your top schools to find specific details about the types of applications and deadlines for each. About a quarter of colleges offer early action and/or early decision. Not following some of the terms? According to the NACAC website, early action is defined as a process whereby students "apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution's regular … 2. Applicants receive admissions decisions quickly, usually starting in mid-December. Pssst… College application lingo decoded at the bottom, scroll down if you see a word or acronym you don’t know! Early round applications are an excellent option if you have a clear top choice (or 2-3 top choices). MIT has two application cycles: Early Action (EA) and Regular Action (RA). This may be the best option for you if you are planning on retaking the ACT or. There are multiple modes of early action, which vary by school. You didn’t know there was more than one way to apply to college? 15% more people) were admitted simply because they applied early rather than regular. Read on to find out which route is best for you. Last Updated: Jul 21, 2020. September 6, 2018 By Taylor Sienkiewicz 7 Mins Read. Early Action is a non-binding admission program that allows you to get an admission decision sooner. On the other hand, public, state schools that tend to be less exclusive have more consistent rules when it comes to early action. You may also apply early action to multiple colleges. Register now for our scholarship giveaway, Copyright © 2020 Carnegie Dartlet. Generally, the more selective or private an institution is, the more extensive and strict application policies are. CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit. The main perk of Early Action is for you to find out whether or not you are accepted while still having until May 1 to make an official decision. Early Action applicants who are deferred into the Regular Decision pool will receive their decision of Admit, Waitlist, or Deny by March 5, 2021. Therefore, you can get your college applications finished in the first semester of high school and focus on things like scholarships during second semester. However, you do not have to go to a school if you get accepted there through early action, as this process functions similarly to regular decision with an early deadline. If you don’t understand something about the specifics of your applications, talking to your high school guidance counselor or contacting the school directly will clear things up. The restriction of binding rules and an earlier deadline prevents the bulk of applicants from applying under early action programs. MyStatus information will include the admission decision, along with any important next steps. Early Decision: Early Decision plans work very similarly to Early Action, in that students will submit their applications before the Regular Decision deadline and … Early Action applicants must complete their application and submit required materials by November 2. Early action (EA) is like early decision with one critical difference: You are not required to attend a particular school if you’re accepted. Most colleges send out notifications to early action candidates in mid-December, so you should have your response before the end of the calendar year. This is the time of year when I get calls from parents and students asking whether they should apply to college via early decision vs regular decision. Because Early Decision is a big commitment, it often improves chances of acceptance more than Early Action. What is the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision? Keep in mind that the different application options depend on the college you’re applying to. Because Early Decision attracts a small, but competitive pool of candidates, the acceptance rate is higher than at Regular Decision. As senior year of high school approaches, students may begin to wonder what type of application they should submit when applying for colleges. We use cookies to personalize and improve your browsing experience. 3. 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