<p>What's the difference?</p>
<p>ED is binding, EA is not.</p>
<p>ED is single choice. EA may or may not be.</p>
<p>ED = Early Decision. You can only apply to one school ED. If you are accepted, you must attend.</p>
<p>EA = Early Action. You can apply to as many schools as you like. The only difference between EA and RD (regular decision) is that you know your decision a few months in advance. You can still apply to other schools RD, as the decision is not binding.</p>
<p>SCEA = Single Choice Early Action. Not very common. You can only apply to one school SCEA, and every other school must be RD. If you are accepted, you have the option (you are not forced) of going.</p>
<p>BTW when I say "only one school" or whatever, that doesn't apply to rolling decisions. You can apply to as many colleges that implement rolling decision schedules as you'd like.</p>