<p>It depends on the school and you will have to research the advantages or disadvantages of each. Sometimes students apply EA to a safety so that they have that in their back pocket before the regular decision apps. Some schools have better merit awards in the EA round. Northeastern may fall into that catagory, so that may be a good pick for an EA school for you.</p>
<p>The downside of applying EA is that you may want the opportunity to submit mid-year grades, new awards, EC’s to support your application in the regular decision round. It depends on how much of a reach school it is for you, and whether the EA is more competitive at that particular school. </p>
<p>this is interesting:</p>
<p>[Colleges</a> Where Applying Early Action Helps - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/applying/applying-101/articles/2009/09/30/colleges-where-applying-early-action-helps]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/applying/applying-101/articles/2009/09/30/colleges-where-applying-early-action-helps)</p>