<p>I've just finished my junior year of highschool, and currently am choosing which colleges I am going to apply to during my senior year. One major dilemma that I have run across is the difference between Early Action and Regular Decision. </p>
<p>My major concern is this:
If apply EA is just like applying as RD, is it not more beneficial for the student to apply EA to all colleges/universities as the student will receive admissions decisions earlier and if s/he does not make it in the EA then the s/he can be transferred to the RD pool.</p>
<p>Thanks, and all replies will be really appreciated! :D </p>
<p>EA where? If we are talking Georgetown, MIT, UChicago and the sorts, it’s probably not going to make much of a difference whether you apply EA or RD. However, if you want a safe bet early in the process, such as Earlham or Bennington or Bard or maybe in-state schools, then that’s another thing entirely and I would recommend that you apply EA. You wouldn’t be automatically rolled over into the RD pool–it’s a very real possibility that you could be denied.</p>
<p>I was thinking to apply to unis like UIUC or NYU. I suppose I am just really confused about the major difference between EA and RD. Is it not better to get the “safe bet” earlier than later? Why should I not just apply EA to all my unis?
Or would you recommend I apply early to my safeties only (such as Rose-Hulman)?</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I plan to go into electrical engineering. </p>
<p>Not all unis have EA. Some are SCEA so you can only pick one. And some are ED so only one and binding. Sure if you can get your applications done and apply EA where the college has it go ahead.</p>
<p>University of Illinois, you definitely want to apply early, before the priority deadline, because they fill up. </p>
<p>NYU only has early decision, not early action, meaning that if you applied ED and were accepted you would be obligated to attend if your financial package made attendance possible.</p>
<p>Generally, it your profile is strong (you don’t need senior year grades to boost your app), and applying early doesn’t come with restrictions (like ED or SCEA), then it is advantageous to apply early. </p>
<p>You should really carefully read the admissions websites for the schools that you are applying to. </p>
<p>EA is nonbinding. You can apply to any number of EA schools, and the benefit is that you will (probably) get a decision early enough to provide peace of mind. This will not always happen, because schools can defer EA applications to the RD pool. </p>
<p>ED is binding. You may apply, at most, to a single ED school. If accepted under their ED program, you are obligated withdraw all other applications to all other schools, and attend the ED school. </p>
<p>Note that if you apply ED but your application is deferred to RD, then if you are subsequently offered admission it is a nonbinding RD, not a binding ED, and you are not then obligated to accept. Not all schools offer deferral from ED - some commit to giving a firm up/down decision to all RD applicants. Check for each school.</p>
<p>There is some reason to think that some schools are more likely to admit borderline candidates under binding ED than they would under RD. Standards are definitely stricter for nonbinding EA programs that have deferral to the RD pool as a possible outcome, though.</p>
<p>Yes, if you can finish all of your applications early enough, whatever schools offer EA - do it. It can take the edge off the stress. That being said, many of the highly selective east coast LACs do not offer a nonbinding EA.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll apply EA to as many colleges as I can then (and that will allow me to do so).
I want to apply early and get all these college apps out of my way early on in my senior year so that I have time to work on my IAs for the IB Diploma, and getting admission decisions early will also allow me to really take some time deciding where I want to spend the next 4 years of my life. </p>
<p>Once again, thanks to everyone for their responses. They were much appreciated! </p>
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