Early Decision and Early Action

If your child finds a college that he’s sure is right for him, he should consider applying early. Early decision and early action plans allow your child to apply early (usually in November) and get an admissions decision from the college well in advance of the usual spring notification date. Your child will know by December or January whether he’s been accepted at his first-choice college.

Sometimes, students who apply under these plans have a better chance of acceptance than they would through the regular admissions process. These plans are also good for colleges, because they get students who really want to go to the school to commit early in the process.  

Early Decision vs. Early Action

Your child should be aware of the differences between early decision and early action before sending in his applications. The exact rules may vary somewhat by college. Check with the school counselor to make sure you and your child understand your rights and obligations.

Early decision plans are binding. Your child agrees to attend the college if it accepts him and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although your child can apply to only one college for early decision, he may apply to other colleges through the regular admissions process. If he’s accepted by his first-choice college early, your child must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.

Early action plans are similar but are not binding, unlike early decision. If your child has been accepted, he can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, your child may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, your child has until the late spring to let the college know his decision.

Single-choice early action is a new option offered by a few colleges. This plan works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early (either early action or early decision) to any other school. Your child can still apply to other schools and is not required to give a final answer of acceptance until the regular decision deadline.

Should Your Child Apply Under One of These Plans?

Your child should apply under an early decision or early action plan only if he is very sure of the college he wants to attend. He should not apply under an early decision or early action plan if he plans to weigh offers and financial aid packages from several colleges later in the spring. Also, your child shouldn't apply early if it is advantageous to have more senior year work to show a college.

Which Colleges Offer Early Plans?

More than 400 colleges offer an early decision plan, an early action plan, or both. You and your child can also find this information in the College Handbook.

Some colleges have chosen to discontinue their early decision and early action plans because they are potentially unfair to students who rely heavily on financial aid. There is a concern that students who apply early may be limiting their financial aid opportunities and feel forced to make a decision without adequate time to consider all aid awards available.

Do Research

Before your child applies to an early decision or early action plan, research all the options to decide which college is the right one for him.

Get Input

Your child does not have to apply for early decision or early action; they are simply options to consider. Talk with your child about whether it is in his best interests. It’s important that you, as parents, understand there might be financial implications.

Get advice from the high school counselor and other trusted advisors before your child applies to a college as an early decision applicant. Your child’s counselor is a trained, objective professional who serves as an advocate in the college search process.

A Last Word of Advice

In the fall, it may seem appealing to get the college decision over with, but your child may find his goals changing as senior year progresses. On the other hand, he may be confident of thriving at a certain college. If so, your child is the type of student early decision was created for.

Early Decision and Early Action Calendar

If your child is even considering the option of early decision or early action, here are the steps he should take:

Junior Year

January-May

May-June

Senior Year

September-October

November