Early Decision vs. Early Action: What Families Need to Know
As you start your college research and begin attending info sessions, you'll likely hear the terms Early Decision and Early Action more and more. While they sound similar, they have very different implications—especially for your student’s options down the road. Here’s what you need to know as you help your student decide if applying early is the right move.
Early Decision (ED): Binding and Strategic
Early Decision is a binding agreement. Students can only apply to one school ED, and if they’re accepted, they are committing to enroll. That means you’ll need to be ready to make a decision—emotionally and financially—by the fall of senior year.
When does ED make sense?
Your student has a clear first-choice school.
You've had honest conversations about cost and are comfortable with the potential financial aid offer.
Your student’s application is strong and ready by the deadline (usually around November 1st).
Because ED signals serious interest, it can offer a slight admissions boost at some colleges, especially selective ones. But be cautious: applying ED is not a strategy to “get in easier.” It should reflect genuine fit and readiness.
Early Action (EA): Non-Binding and Flexible
Early Action is non-binding. Students apply early (usually around November) and get a decision early (often by mid-December), but they’re not required to commit until May 1.
Why consider EA?
It shows interest in a school without locking you in.
You get admissions results early, which can relieve stress and help you plan.
You still have time to compare financial aid offers and explore other options.
Some highly selective schools offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which limits where else a student can apply early. It’s not binding, but it comes with rules, so read the fine print!
Which Is Right for Your Student?
It depends. Every student is different—and so is every college. Here's how we help families decide at LeSage College Consulting:
We take a close look at academic performance, testing, and extracurriculars to see if applying early strengthens the application.
We discuss financial considerations to ensure you’re not surprised by costs.
We identify schools where applying early might offer a strategic advantage.
Applying early can be a powerful tool, but only when used thoughtfully. If your student is still figuring out where they truly want to be or needs more time to build a strong application, Regular Decision might be the better route. The key is finding the timeline (and strategy) that fits your student best.
Have questions about how Early Decision or Early Action might fit into your student’s plan? Let’s talk! This is a big decision—and you don’t have to make it alone.
