Early Action/Decision vs Normal Applications

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Do my chances of getting into a college increase if I apply using Single Choice Early Action, Early Action, or Early Decision? Or should I apply to colleges regularly?
If anyone has any specific information on these types of applications and the chances of being accepted as a regular vs. EA/ED applicant in Ivy League schools, please advise. </p>

<p>[In addition, if anyone could clarify the difference between the aforementioned options, please do so. I'm only a sophomore, so I know vaguely what all three are, but am unclear on the details.]</p>

2

<p>I’ll clarify this to the best of my abilities. </p>

<p>Both Early Action and Early Decision are types of early admission that are offered by many, but not all universities. Early Action simply means that you are applying early, and is more like regular admission. If accepted, you do not have to go to the school, and can still apply to other schools. </p>

<p>Early Decision, however, is binding. If you apply early decision, and are accepted, then you are obliged to go to that school. Although there is no legal contract involved, breaching the Early Decision agreement could result in the college blacklisting you, and forbidding transfers to that college in the future. If you do apply Early Decision and are accepted, go there. There could be negative repercussions. </p>

<p>Single Choice Early Action is offered by some of the top universities, such as Yale, Harvard, and the like. You can only apply to one college with single choice, and after you are informed of your acceptance or rejection, you are free to apply anywhere else. Like with ED, you can only apply to one place with single choice, but unlike early decision, it is not binding. Do note that only some colleges do single choice, and they are only the most elite ones.</p>

<p>Now, it can be a good, or bad idea to apply to any of the three. Early Action is really a win-win scenario. It usually has higher acceptance rates, and is not binding. This means it gives you a slightly better shot at colleges, while still allowing you to apply to as many as you want. In essence, it is regular decision, but earlier.</p>

<p>Early Decision can be good, but also has some negatives. Like I said, you are limited to one Early Decision school. Also like I said, it is binding. Only apply Early Decision if you know that you want to go to the school, and you know that you can afford it. Just because you are accepted ED, does not mean that the school will offer you the financial aid that you need. This could result in you having to go to a school that you cannot afford, or breaking the deal, which could have repercussions. </p>

<p>Single Choice EA also has its positives. While it only allows you to apply to one school EA, it has slightly better admission rates, and isn’t binding. Apply to schools with Single Choice EA when you want to go to them, even if you are unsure about your ability to afford it. </p>

<p>All three offer better admission rates, which can be modestly, or substantially better than regular decision. It is best to only apply EA, ED, or SCEA if you want to go to that school, and when you would have a low chance RD. If you are only going to apply to one school (which is a bad idea), do so with an early program, so that you get in sooner. Apply RD to schools which are matches or safeties, as early admission programs would be irrelevant for that. These early admission programs are best for the very competitive schools, as they offer a better chance of getting in.</p>

<p>Although I haven’t had personal experience with this, some have said that merit scholarships are less with ED and EA. They say that when you do early admissions, it makes it look like you are reaching to get in, and may not have as good stats as RD applicants. </p>

<p>I know I wrote a lot, but I hope that it helped.</p>

3

<p>“Only apply Early Decision if you know that you want to go to the school, and you know that you can afford it. Just because you are accepted ED, does not mean that the school will offer you the financial aid that you need. This could result in you having to go to a school that you cannot afford, or breaking the deal, which could have repercussions.”</p>

<p>This is an oft-repeated misconception; simply check the actual ED agreement:

<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>So if the ED financial aid offer (which you receive with or shortly after acceptance notification) is not enough to support attendance, you tell the ED school thanks but no thanks, and apply elsewhere RD, with no repercussions. Imagine a student somehow compelled to attend the ED school, and then being expelled when the bill can’t be paid; it doesn’t happen.</p>

4

<p>I… was not aware of that. It is a surprise, albeit a good one. I was starting to reconsider applying ED, out of the possibility that I couldn’t afford it. This actually is really good news, despite the fact that it means I was incorrect.</p>

5

<p>Yes, you may withdraw from the ED commitment if your financial need is not met. However, you would not find out your financial aid until much later (except for athlete recruitment) perhaps even after you withdrew from other applications. Schools with ED rarely have early financial aid offer as you have not even filled up the FAFSA application (not even open) at that time.</p>

6

<p>If the numbers you submit are accurate, the number the school gives you with the ED acceptance will be accurate. The school’s net price calculator tells you what you’ll get as well. Remember, when a school admits you ED with financial aid, they really, really want you and will try hard to make it work.</p>

7

<p>Note that even you demonstrate a financial need, most school do not offer financial aids to all students with need. In addition, most financial aids do not cover 100% of your need even if you get it. Also, some aid would be in a form of loan that you may not want. You better look up those numbers in college guides before applying ED. Don’t just rely on the cost calculator as that is far from a guarantee support. It would be find to do ED for the schools that do provide 100% need to 100% students that demonstrated needs.</p>

8

<p>^ Good point; there’s no point in wasting the application fee if the ED school’s net price calculator says it’s out of reach. There’s also no reason to fear applying ED if the NPC says it’s doable.</p>

9

<p>apply early action if the school is high on your list and you have the stats that match the schools profile, you can also talk to an admissions counselor and they can advise you on the safest way to apply.</p>