This decision is a very important one, especially if you are considering some of the more selective colleges and universities in the country. Last year, Stanford declined to release the number of candidates admitted in December through Stanford’s Restrictive Early Action program. Directory Data is copyrighted material under license to CollegeXpress and which is reproduced by permission of CollegeXpress. Early Action vs. Those applying Regular Decision will have a later deadline to submit their application (typically anywhere from early December to late January). 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. 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. You are offered admission, and you have until May 1 to respond to your offer. MIT Early Admissions & Regular Decision. 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. 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.”. Early Action applicants who are deferred into the Regular Decision pool will receive their decision of Admit, Waitlist, or Deny by March 5, 2021. Yes, this is a thing. When thinking about when to apply for college, you can choose to apply to multiple colleges for early action. Register now for our scholarship giveaway, Copyright © 2020 Carnegie Dartlet. Stanford University Regular Decision. My dream is to pursue a career in journalism, because I want spread inspiring stories to the world. I aim to be known as someone who always makes the time to help others. Be sure to ask the admission office if being denied as an Early applicant means you'll get a second chance at having your application considered. 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. Making the decision of where to attend college in late spring could potentially add to the stress of AP exams and finals as well. This is why early action is encouraged, but waiting for regular decision does not necessarily decrease your admittance odds. This article  features university perspectives as well as senior mentor insight to give you the facts–and dispel the myths–of application timing. In many cases, applying early allows the school to work with you. Early Action and Early Decision vs. Not sure whether you should apply early action, early decision, or regular decision? One example of this is the University of Notre Dame’s Early Action applicant pool. , explains the benefit to the school in terms of building a cohort that will be the most successful at the university. Stanford University has extended its policy of non-disclosure of its complete admissions numbers to the regular decision. Ithaca, NY, Carlow University 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. Regular Decision: College Application Myths Debunked, Yes, this is a thing. “Early action and early decision gives [colleges] the opportunity to see what’s out there,” said Pfeiffer. Because Early Decision is a big commitment, it often improves chances of acceptance more than Early Action. “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. What? “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. You may not be well informed on the schools to which you are applying. “At the end of the day the goal is to get admitted somewhere,” said Pfeiffer, “making sure that you are presenting the best version of your accomplishments and yourself to the admissions officers is the key, and if you can do that early, then fantastic. Early Action is available to all freshman applicants. Neither of our deadlines results in a binding decision, and both have the same May 1 enrollment deadline. “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.”. Early action (EA) is like early decision with one critical difference: You are not required to attend a particular school if you’re accepted. MIT has two application cycles: Early Action (EA) and Regular Action (RA). 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. 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. Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action at CU is non-binding, but at nearby University of Denver, a private school, there are four application options, two of which are binding. Other state schools that do offer early action tend to adopt plans similar to CU Boulder. Another thing to look out for is whether or not you would be deferred (declined as an Early applicant but not yet denied) and have your application reviewed again after the Regular Decision deadline. Students are committed to attend if admitted through Early Decision. Make sure you don’t waste your time and money applying to schools you are not actually interested in. Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. Find out if your colleges of interest offer a variety of admission plans using our College Search tool. MyStatus information will include the admission decision, along with any important next steps. September 6, 2018 By Taylor Sienkiewicz 7 Mins Read. We do not have a preference, and there is no strategic benefit to applying in one vs the other. Join the CollegeXpress community! All rights reserved. Early Action applicants are not limited to just applying to Santa Clara but must ensure adherence to … ©2020 Peterson's LLC. If you’re accepted to more than one, you can wait and compare the different financial aid award lettersbefore you make a final decision. Some colleges/universities may do this, but others may not. 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 … All options aren’t going to be perfect for you, so here’s what I have come to know about these options. 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. “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. 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. Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. There are many state schools that are highly selective, yet the application model is much less extensive. But don’t let that dissuade you. 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. They’ll figure it out and you’re going to lose all credibility and not be able to get in anywhere,” said Pfeiffer. Early action versus regular decision is a hotly debated choice that every college applicant has to make. Applicants receive admissions decisions quickly, usually starting in mid-December. 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. Colin Pfeiffer, a Senior Mentor at. We compare Early Decision vs. Students applying early also let the school know they are very interested in attending. Early action . Early Action, Starting Your Senior Year: 4 Things You Need to Do. Your application is deferred to Regular Decision and will receive a final decision by April 1. Early round applications are an excellent option if you have a clear top choice (or 2-3 top choices). 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 The restriction of binding rules and an earlier deadline prevents the bulk of applicants from applying under early action programs. Early Decision vs. early action Early action can be a good option for those who want to get the application process out of the way but don’t want to commit to a specific … When compared to the 6.9% Regular Decision acceptance rate, it indicated that 649 more students (i.e. Early Action. This may be the best option for you if you are planning on retaking the ACT or. Early action programs are a hybrid. applying early Early action (EA) and early decision (ED) are types of early admission, in contrast … Not sure what ‘Early Decision’ and ‘Early Action’ mean? Applying Early Action typically gets you an admission decision in the mail by mid-December. Not following some of the terms? However, if the Early Decision acceptance rate was adjusted to exclude … Related: Early Bird Gets the Worm? 15% more people) were admitted simply because they applied early rather than regular. Regular Decision: College Application Myths Debunked. 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. Make sure you understand the application rules of each college you’re applying to before you accidentally jeopardize your application by violating restrictions. Early decision applicants do usually have a slight edge, but you have to keep in mind that the early applicant pool is also much stronger than the regular decision pool. Applying Early Action typically gets you an admission decision in the mail by mid-December. On the other hand, public, state schools that tend to be less exclusive have more consistent rules when it comes to early action. Regular Decision. 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. Use this infographic for reference: See also: Applying Early: Your Early Decision Options Defined. Choosing to apply Regular Decision can give you more time to discover what you want to study too, especially if you are on the fence between a few majors—though you also have the option to apply as undecided and explore your options in college. 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. college admission 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. Under early action, you both apply earlier than the regular deadline and find out earlier if you've been accepted. This is a big college application no-no. 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 … Reading, PA, University of Colorado Boulder Need help getting started on your college search? 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. Early action is non–binding. Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. Regular Decision Admission Rates. Login or sign up to be automatically entered into our next $10,000 scholarship giveaway, Cornell University, School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions Early action deadlines usually fall at the same time as early decision. Regular Decision acceptance rates. 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). (I will also be able to answer the many questions about college from all of my family—phew!). Two universities I applied to opened their applications on August 1; decisions were sent out just several weeks later, and all applications were entered into the same pool. college applications Beginning for the 2021 application cycle, Early Action will be divided into two rounds. 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. Early action and early decision allow you to apply earlier than regular admission. 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. Applying Early Action means the application deadline is a month or two sooner than the Regular Decision deadline. Early Decision is binding whereas Early Action is not. One option students can use is Early Action, which is great for feeling the waters without making a commitment like Regular Decision. 1. You’re going to be thrown in with all the other go-getters. Early Decision allows you to demonstrate your commitment to enroll at Boston College. University of California system schools have a acceptance rates as low as 16 percent, but most do not offer any early action processes. It is fine to apply during either cycle. Early Action applicants must complete their application and submit required materials by November 2. The most common EA deadline is November 1, with November 15 as a close runner up. 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. Based on admission rate data from the top universities, we’ve calculated the exact advantage of applying early. While many swear that choosing one admissions route over another allowed or prevented them from getting into a university, the benefits and consequences depend on your personal situation, application, and desired colleges. They may request additional information such as senior year grades, updated test scores, or other proof of academic, extracurricular, and collegiate merit. We encourage students to apply Early Action as Regular Decision is considered on a space-available basis. They will receive an admission decision by January 15 and, if accepted, have until June 1 to make their final decision. 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. Early Action vs. 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. Create a free account and Complete your application by the December 1 regular deadline and receive a final admission decision no later than March 1. Statistics do show correlation between admittance to universities and early applicants, but this does not take into account higher credentials of early applicants or likelihood that early applications are to an applicant’s top choice school, causing incentive to perfect the application. Pssst… College application lingo decoded at the bottom, scroll down if you see a word or acronym you don’t know! Type above and press Enter to search. We use cookies to personalize and improve your browsing experience. 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). One example of this is the, Find out if your colleges of interest offer a variety of admission plans using our, Cornell University, School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, The 5 Types of College Application Deadlines, Applying Early Decision is similar to early action, Early Bird Gets the Worm? Just like in Early Action, students can be waitlisted or rejected from Early Decision but may be considered during the Regular Decision period. “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. You also may be retaking the SAT or ACT, and will want to wait until the scores are available to report a potentially higher score to your chosen colleges. early 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. Consider the pros and cons of early action vs regular decision before choosing your college application pathway. You may also apply early action to multiple colleges. Early decision applications are binding, so sending multiple applications through early decision may mean you will end up legally bound to attend multiple universities. 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. My favorite thing to do is experience new adventures through traveling and vacations with family. Regular Decision- March 1 st . Only the dates of the deadlines! Applying Early Action does not restrict a student from applying to other schools or for scholarships and financial aid. Applicants can usually apply for multiple schools using early action. This is where things get tricky and you will have to do your research. Therefore, you can get your college applications finished in the first semester of high school and focus on things like scholarships during second semester. CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit. Last Updated: Jul 21, 2020. 3. The college application process has various options when it comes to how early to submit your materials. Therefore, you can get your college applications finished in the first semester of high school and focus on things like scholarships during second semester. You are not offered admission. Complete your application by the November 1 priority deadline and receive an admission decision (or deferral) by February 1. Tags: Pittsburgh, PA, Alvernia University we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more. Note: Students who apply via Early Action but don’t meet the requirements or deadlines will be rolled into the regular decision applicant pool. Options vary from Regular Decision to Early Action to Early Decision. Personally, as a senior in high school, I have been applying Early Action so I can have an idea of where I will be going by Christmastime. As senior year of high school approaches, students may begin to wonder what type of application they should submit when applying for colleges. Pfeiffer explained that parents and students sometimes assume “there are no consequences to applying to multiple schools early decision, which is not true. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Policy. Search by location, major, admission difficulty, and more with Peterson’s College Search. Because Early Decision attracts a small, but competitive pool of candidates, the acceptance rate is higher than at Regular Decision. Related: The 5 Types of College Application Deadlines. 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. The Early Action application date is non-binding, and the application and evaluation is the same as for Regular Decision. Regular Decision – This is the typical and final deadline for all students wishing to apply to a certain school. Regular Admission Early Action (non-binding)- November 1 st. Stanford's philosophy is to make final decisions whenever possible. What’s the difference, and why does it matter? “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.”. What is the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision? Location, major, admission difficulty, and more there was more than early Action program planning a bit. And decisions will be the best option for you if you have until June 1 to make these types college. Action tend to adopt plans similar to CU Boulder for you if you 've accepted... 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