What is the difference between early action and early decision?

Applying to College
1

<p>Sorry if this is stupid...I'm a sophomore and I'm not sure exactly what the differences are. Which is better in which circumstances?</p>

2

<p>Googling your exact question—[difference</a> between early action and early decision](<a href=“difference between early action and early decision - Google Search”>difference between early action and early decision - Google Search)—leads to the following first result:</p>

<p>[Early</a> Decision and Early Action - College Board](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Facts About Applying Early Decision or Early Action – BigFuture)</p>

<p>Also see:</p>

<p>[What</a> about Early Decision or Early Action? - Ask The Dean](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/index.php/archives/000041.htm]What”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/index.php/archives/000041.htm)
[Early</a> Decision versus Action Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/earlydecision.asp]Early”>Early Action and Early Decision Admissions Explained)</p>

<p>Essentially, one is binding (decision), and one is not (action).</p>

3

<p>Note that [Early</a> Decision - Early Action - apply to colleges, search](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Facts About Applying Early Decision or Early Action – BigFuture) has correct information: “You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package.”</p>

<p>But [Early</a> Decision versus Action Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/earlydecision.asp]Early”>Early Action and Early Decision Admissions Explained) has it wrong: “Students can seek release from an early decision obligation on the grounds of financial hardship, if the financial aid package they are offered is genuinely inadequate; however, the burden of proof in these cases is on the student.”</p>

4

<p>This is how I remember it…</p>

<p>ED = D for Decision = D for DEFINITELY must enroll.</p>

5

<p>D but with one exception:

<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;

6

<p>Thanks for the answers!</p>