Have you found a great college but aren’t sure if it’s your top choice? Early Action is a great way to signal a strong interest to a college’s admission department without the stress of a binding commitment.
Approximately 450 US colleges have Early Action plans, according to the College Board. You submit your college applications in the fall — usually November or December — and hear back sooner. That means answers months earlier than regular admission.
The Advantages of Applying Early Action
Early Action helps you narrow down your college list with confidence. Perhaps you’ve found schools that meet many of your criteria — academically, geographically, socially — but you aren’t ready to commit to one through Early Decision.
You can apply to multiple colleges offering Early Action, and have decisions in hand early in December or January — months before the typical March or April admission cycle timeframe. That gives you time to compare admission decisions, review financial aid packages, and keep applying to other colleges under a regular decision, if you want.
At some schools, Early Action may give you a slight edge in making the list for their next class, according to Collegevine. Many institutions also offer specific scholarships for applicants or give them stronger consideration for institutional aid. Each college’s policies are different, so it’s important to do your research.
The greatest advantage of Early Action? Peace of mind. You’ll enter the final stretch of your senior year with less stress and be able to enjoy those final months of high school with the knowledge of your options and the ability to act on them.
