College Application Strategy: Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision

Are you excited about applying to college? I’ve helped hundreds of students apply to college, and it’s always an exciting time. I’ll also admit, the process can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking for many students. I’d be lying if I said I never had to coach a distressed student through a period of second-guessing and analysis paralysis, but overall, the process of hitting the final “Submit” button brings a sense of satisfaction that a significant task is complete.

Anyone who has worked with me knows that I talk a lot about strategy. When I work with students and families, we strategize everything from high school courses to extra-curricular activities to finding the right university fit. Applying to college is no different. You’re competing for a spot at the institution where you want to spend four years of your life and launch your career. You’d better believe there’s a strategy involved.

One of the major applications strategies I work through with most students involves application timing. Should you apply for Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), or Regular Decision (RD)? Let’s review each type of application and what they mean.

Early Decision

In the case of applying for Early Decision (ED), you’re actually entering into a binding contract with the college. Students who apply ED are agreeing that if accepted, they will withdraw any other applications, and they will commit to attending that university.

This seems like an intimidating concept to many families. Committing to the requirements of ED is not a decision to be made impulsively. Both the student and a parent/guardian have to sign the ED binding agreement acknowledging the terms of the agreement.

Students who apply for ED typically want a particular program at a specific university because they have a clearly defined career plan mapped out. They have done an incredible amount of research, and they know that this is absolutely the best program for their goals.

The advantage of applying for ED is that it sends a clear message to the university that this is where you really want to be. Your commitment will inform their admissions process, as many schools accept ED applicants at a slightly higher rate to those applying Regular Decision. Some highly selective (also known as “highly rejective”) schools admit as much as half of their freshman class through the ED round. Early Decision students also enjoy the benefit of receiving an early response from the universities — often as early as December.

However, it is important to understand that applying under the Early Decision contract restricts a family’s ability to weigh all of your admissions options and compare (and negotiate) financial aid awards. If college costs are a significant concern to your family, then weigh Early Decision carefully before submission.

Early Action

Early Action (EA) is far less restrictive than ED. There’s no commitment component to EA applications. It is simply a signal to the college or university that your interest in attending is high. Many students will use EA to apply to their top choice so that they can either commit as soon as the acceptance comes through, or consider their next best options if they aren’t accepted.

While EA doesn’t move your application to the top of the pile the way ED does, it still has some advantages. First, your application is reaching the admissions office ahead of the Regular Decision pile, so it has less competition in the review phase. Second, EA acceptances may come with a better financial award package for the same reason - there is less competition at that time for available funds.

Many students I work with use EA for the same reasons they might use ED. They are highly committed to a specific program and school, and they want to find out if that’s where they’ll go as soon as possible. Since not all schools offer ED, EA might be the best way to show interest in your preferred school.

Regular Decision

The most common college application timing is Regular Decision (RD). This deadline is usually January 1, and it’s the main application format at most schools. If you’re taking your time to get every application in perfect order before you send them, RD gives you the most amount of time. RD also gives you time to get a more accurate projection of your senior year GPA and class rank, which could make a difference in merit-based scholarships and financial awards.

Many students use EA to apply to their top choice, but they apply RD to all of their backup schools. That way, they have a solid plan in place if their preferred school isn’t an option. While RD doesn’t offer any particular advantages over earlier applications, it’s standard practice and doesn’t hurt your chances of acceptance.

The outlier in all of this strategy is Rolling Admissions. This process actually does somewhat incentivize earlier applications. These schools review every application as it arrives, so students who get theirs in early may have an advantage. Admissions continue until the programs are full, so they also typically accept applications after the January 1 deadline. If you don’t feel like you can get everything sent in on time, work on the deadline applications first and then finish the rolling applications. 

If you’re struggling to figure out your college application strategy, let me help! I have been working with students my entire career to help them make the best decisions for their future goals and plans. Schedule your strategy session with me to get started on your college applications plan.