What should I know about applying to colleges early?

Hello! I'm considering applying to some colleges through early action or early decision. What should I know about these options, and how do they differ from regular decision? Pros and cons of each would be helpful. Thanks!

Hi there! It's great that you're considering early action and early decision for college applications. As someone who has gone through this process recently with my child, I can share my experience and knowledge with you. Early action (EA) and early decision (ED) are both ways to apply to colleges before the regular decision deadline. The main difference is that EA is non-binding, whereas ED is a binding commitment to attend the college if accepted.

Some pros of early action include: getting your decision earlier, showing interest in the college, and having a slightly better chance of admission (though not guaranteed). The cons are that you might not have as much time to improve your application or visit the campus before applying.

As for early decision, the pros are a significantly higher acceptance rate and demonstrating a strong commitment to the school. The cons include being bound to attend if accepted (which can limit financial aid options), and less time to work on your application. Also, you can only apply ED to one school.

Regular decision, on the other hand, allows you more time to improve your application, visit campuses, and compare financial aid offers. The main con is that you won't receive your decision until later in the spring.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual circumstances and how confident you are about your top-choice college. Best of luck in your college application process!