I’ve heard some people talk about it, but is there a big difference if you apply early or regular? If you apply early, will you have a higher chance of getting into the college rather if you apply regular decision?
From what I know, it really depends on the school. For some, it barely makes a difference or doesn’t at all. For others, the ED acceptance rate can be 30% higher than RD.
The acceptance rates at some schools are higher (percentage wise) for early rather than regular. However, many of the recruited athletes and other special cases apply early so it’s hard to know just by comparing acceptance rates how much of the extra boost is applicable to regular applicants. Generally it’s thought that applying early increases your chances. Be wary of ED though (instead of EA) because ED is binding.
@Lagging Really dumb question; is there a difference between ED and EA? Why is ED binding?
ED is early decision - if you get admitted to the school then you must attend (it’s essentially a contract stating that). EA is early action - you apply early but can choose whether or not to attend if admitted. ED should only be used if you’re absolutely positive it’s your top choice and that financially you’ll be able to afford the school. EA is often used to indicate that a school is one of your top choices and also has a slightly higher acceptance rate than RD on average.
Hi aimless. Just do a google search on ED v EA. Tons of info online, these are very easily answered with a quick search. Also tons of info about ED v RD. Find out the basics, then come back and ask some specifics.
ED means you are committing to attend for sure, and withdrawing all your other apps. EA means you can still apply RD other places, see if you get in, and can compare financial aid packages.
@Lagging Thanks for putting that into simpler terms! 
It was very helpful.
Go for EA where you can or apply early to some rolling admissions schools. It is great to have an early acceptance or two.
@intparent Great! Thanks! I’ll be sure to do that. Do you know if applying EA affects the scholarships I can get? (specifically chancellor’s scholarships and whatnot. :))
ED is purely a business decision on college’s part. There is a reason why traditionally “back-up” schools have ED, while the prestigious few can maintain incredibly low acceptance rates and high yield rates without ED programs. This doesn’t mean ED can be utilized to your advantage… it can relieve a lot of stress if you get your top choice early, and it can improve your chances of getting in (colleges want student they know will attend). Just be aware (I was accepted ED) it’s really rough come April when all your friends are getting into 4-5 amazing schools and having to make the choice, while you are stuck only having gotten into one really amazing choice (and left questioning if you could have gotten into better schools). I suggest doing non-binding early programs (Chicago, Drexel, and Most of the Ivys offer non-binding programs). ED is awesome, just make sure you really will have no regrets about it.
Some colleges have early deadlines for scholarship consideration. You will NEVER lose out on the chance at a scholarship if you are in the EA pool (but ED students are not as likely to get them – why should the college give a merit scholarship to a student who has already committed to attend). Check for each school anyway to see if there are scholarship deadlines (just in case, I suppose they could be a bit earlier than the EA deadline at some schools, and you don’t want to miss them – but it is pretty common for RD round students to not check and then not make the dates).
Note that not all schools offer EA as an option, though. I don’t think we keep a running list out here. I know in addition to the ones mentioned in post #10 that Dickinson and Lawrence both have an EA round. I don’t actually think “most of the Ivies” have a non-binding round. Some of them have what is called Single Choice EA (SCEA) that put restrictions on where else you can apply EA or ED if you choose their SCEA route – but my guess is that you are probably not considering those very top Ivies. Oh, MIT & Caltech have EA rounds as well (but again… most students aren’t going to apply there).
If the OP has some types of schools they are considering, many folks here have experience with ED/EA admissions with various schools and will happily contribute.
I will say, my kid was admitted by mid-December EA, with merit, to schools like College of Wooster, Kalamazoo, Earlham, Lawrence University, Beloit etc. The earliest decision probably came in mid-November, so that really helped relieve the stress of senior year.
Dickinson has EA, though doesn’t report until Feb 1. The NESCAC schools (Amherst, Bowdoin etc) do not do EA, only ED, as best as I can recall.
You will NEVER lose out on the chance at a scholarship if you are in the EA pool (but ED students are not as likely to get them – why should the college give a merit scholarship to a student who has already committed to attend).
I don’t think this is true…otherwise why would anyone do ED at these schools?
If you are concerned, contact the admissions people and ask.