<p>If you go to a bookstore or library that carries the USN&WR Ultimate Diretory, there is a list near the front part of the book that lists colleges with early programs and designates them as ED or EA. That will give you a good start as to which schools have EA. There is also a list of rolling schools. In my opinion, this directory is a good investment of $30 for all of the info you can get out of it as your basic guide for all sorts of info. I would not use it as the definitive source. Things do change year to year, so you do need to verify things at a direct source like the college website and when you do apply, read the application directions carefully. But it gives you a good start.</p>
<p>Early Decision is the term used for applying early and promising to go to the school if accepted. It is usually called "binding Early Decision" because of that promise that usually requires a signature to such a statement. You are either accepted, rejected or deferred to the regular pool by December when you go ED. Some schools with ED permit you to apply to Early Action colleges as well but some only permit regular and rolling decision app in conjunction with the ED. However, if you are accepted to the ED school, you must withdraw all apps to the other schools and go to the ED school. Early Action is the term used fro applying early and getting an early answer, usually in December, but there is no binding contract. You generally get the same May 1 deadline to decide where you want to go to college. You can usually apply to a number of such schools and sometimes one ED school as well if the ED school so permits. Single Choice Early Action (SCEA), however, stipulates that this is the only school you can apply to early. Cannot apply to other EA schools or to an ED school if you go SCEA. Harvard and Yale both have SCEA. Princeton has single choice ED. So when yyou apply to any of those schools, you cannot apply elsewhere early unless you just send off rolling apps (usually to state schools) in addition. Some schools have ED and EA along with the regular deadlines. And some schools have what they call ED2, which is the same as ED but usually with a February deadline for kids who did not make the early deadline in November but have a favorite or who did not get into their early choice.</p>