Early Admissions for Colleges?

Hi all, I'm super excited to get my applications out there. I've heard many say applying early can be beneficial but I'm not too sure what that means exactly. When is early admissions for colleges? Is it the same for all schools?

Early admissions generally refers to applying to a college or university before the regular deadline, and there are two common types: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA).

Early Decision is binding, which means if you are accepted, you're committed to attending the college unless they don't meet your need for financial aid. This is often due in early to mid-November but depends on the school.

Early Action, on the other hand, allows you to apply early (often at the same time as Early Decision), receive an admission decision earlier, but does not bind you to attend. You can still compare options and make your decision by May 1st, the National College Decision Day.

Applying early can give you an edge in the admissions process. On average, applying ED results in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to super selective schools. Applying EA also boosts your chances, but the effect is smaller since you're not obligated to attend if accepted. Just keep in mind that the degree to which this applies varies by institution.

It's important to note that each school may have its own specific dates for early admission deadlines. Institutions may also offer a second round of Early Decision, known as ED II, with deadlines in early January.

Keep in mind that early admission also means you'll have to have all your application materials—including your essays, recommendations, and transcripts—completed earlier. So, it's a good way to get a head start and potentially receive an admission decision earlier but requires good planning and organization.