Is Early DECISION better than Early ACTION?

Applying to College
1

<p>Is there any difference in the acceptance rate between ED and EA? I know that they're both early, but if you're applying ED, won't that look better than EA because it shows that the school is the one and only for you? I'm so confused!</p>

2

<p>I mean, ED shows that you’re completely dedicated to applying to the school, whereas EA shows that the school is only a choice.</p>

3

<p>Nice job answering your own question.</p>

4

<p>How many schools have both ED and EA? Most have one or the other (if they have either).</p>

5

<p>Sorry, that was my own reasoning, I was wondering if it was true.</p>

6

<p>Oh you’re right. It’s only ED for Cornell.</p>

7

<p>At some schools ED may confer a slight advantage (even more in this economy for full freight payers), at other schools (especially the most popular) not. The ED vs. RD admit rates aren’t reliable indicators due to self-selection.</p>

8

<p>I think I understand the implication of EA and ED and SCEA. One thing I wanted to make sure why cant an applicant do ED(example Brown) and also EA(non restrictive like chicago). If I get accepted in ED than i dont have a choice I understand. But if I dont at least by doing EA I have options open for early acceptance w/o binding. So the wuestion is why cant I do one ED and multiple EA.</p>

9

<p>^Each school determines their own policy. Many schools DO permit you to apply ED to them as well as multiple EAs to other schools, Brown does not.</p>

10

<p>wow!! thx for the quick reply. I am really impressed by this site. Is there a list of the schools who DO permit to apply ED as well as multiple EAs. Should we be calling Tako…</p>

11

<p>Cyberk…I don’t think many of those schools exist. Most either have EA OR ED. Not both… that’s kinda pointless.</p>

12

<p>^cyberk isn’t asking about an individual school having both ED and EA. They’re asking for schools with ED that permit students to also apply to EA schools.</p>

13

<p>I don’t know of a list since ED has not been a consideration in our family, perhaps other members can steer you to one. Otherwise, just look at the college websites, for example I randomly looked at JHU and they’re very explicit:</p>

<p>[Hopkins</a> Undergraduate Admissions :: FAQs :: Early Decision](<a href=“http://apply.jhu.edu/faqs/ed.html]Hopkins”>http://apply.jhu.edu/faqs/ed.html)</p>

<p>Others like Duke and Penn do not specifically mention applying EA, only about other ED schools, so I would give them a call or email to clarify their policy:</p>

<p>[Duke</a> University Admissions: Regular & Early Decision](<a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_RD-ED.html]Duke”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_RD-ED.html)</p>

<p>[Penn</a> Admissions: Applying Early Decision](<a href=“http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/early.php]Penn”>http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/early.php)</p>

<p>I’ve gotten the feeling that Brown is fairly unique in it’s restrictive policy, but like I said, since it isn’t a personal concern, I haven’t kept close watch on this question.</p>

14

<p>^ Out of curiosity, why would Brown have such a policy?</p>

15

<p>Can someone list the schools that offer EA and are not single choice.</p>

16

<p>Here is a link to early action/early decision/rolling admission schools:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/354075-list-colleges-early-action-early-decision-rolling-admissions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/354075-list-colleges-early-action-early-decision-rolling-admissions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>ED should only be considered if it’s absolutely your #1 school and finances are of little concern (ask your parents the answer to this one). Otherwise only use EA or RD. </p>

<p>I can’t imagine any college has both a ED and an EA program.</p>

<p>If your no. 1 school has EA, then use it. If your #1 school has ED and finances aren’t a concern, then use it. Otherwise, EA secondary but preferred schools and RD the rest.</p>

18

<p>ED is okay if you need financial aid. If they don’t offer enough to support attendance, you just say thanks but no thanks and apply elsewhere RD.</p>

19

<p>^It’s not always that simple.</p>

20

<p>The common app says it is (for such schools):

<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>This article seems to agree:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/strategy.html?_r=1[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/strategy.html?_r=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But we should note schools that cause trouble; anyone have such a school?</p>