Why You Should Apply Under Early Action
Early Action (EA) is a college admissions process that allows students to apply and receive decisions earlier than the regular schedule. Unlike Early Decision (ED), EA is non-binding, meaning students are not obligated to attend if accepted. There are several types of EA policies, each with specific rules and restrictions.
Types of Early Action Policies
1. Non-Restrictive Early Action
This is the most flexible EA option. Students can apply to multiple schools (both private and public) simultaneously under EA and are not committed to attend if admitted. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a non-restrictive EA policy, allowing applicants to apply to other institutions' early programs, provided they adhere to those institutions' rules .
2. Restrictive Early Action (REA)
REA is non-binding but limits where else a student can apply early. Stanford University, for instance, prohibits applicants from applying early to other private colleges or universities under any of their early admissions options. However, students can apply to public colleges through their early admissions programs if the decision they receive is non-binding. Critically, there is an exception for applying to private universities under their non-binding early application plan. The exception is when, in order to be considered for financial aid or certain scholarships at that private university, you need to apply under their non-binding early admissions plan. For example, you can apply to both Stanford REA and University of Southern California (USC) EA, despite USC being a private school, because USC has scholarships only for people who apply under their early action plan and due to how their EA play is non-binding.
3. Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)
SCEA is a form of REA with stricter limitations. Yale University’s SCEA policy allows applicants to apply early only to Yale and prohibits early applications to other private institutions. There is no financial aid or scholarship exceptions like is the case with restrictive early action. Applicants may still apply to public universities or international institutions under non-binding early programs .
Benefits of Applying Early Action
1. Early Notification
Applying EA means students receive admissions decisions earlier, often between mid-December and mid-January. This early notification can reduce stress and help with planning.
2. Non-Binding Flexibility
Since EA is non-binding, students have until May 1 to decide, allowing them to compare offers and financial aid packages from multiple institutions.
3. Potential for Deferment
If not admitted during the EA round, applicants may be deferred to the Regular Decision pool. This means their application will be reconsidered alongside the regular applicants, providing another opportunity for admission.
4. Strategic Advantage
Being deferred in the EA round is preferable to being waitlisted during Regular Decision. Deferred applicants are still in active consideration, whereas waitlisted students may only be offered admission if spots become available.
Understanding Deferment
Deferment means that while a student was not admitted during the EA round, their application will be reviewed again during the Regular Decision process. This offers a second chance at admission.
To illustrate, consider the probability of success as a coin toss. Flipping a coin once gives a 50% chance of landing heads.Flipping it twice increases the chance of getting at least one heads to 75%. Similarly, applying EA and potentially being deferred gives students two opportunities for admission, increasing their overall chances.
What You Should Do If Deferred
If you are deferred, you should submit a letter of continued interest to your regional admission officer within 1-3 business days after that college has released all of their early action results. The letter should aim to convey your personal connection to the university, its culture, and institutions. It should enable the reader to be able to visualize you as a student participating in their campus traditions and unique academic offerings. It should also reinforce how leveraging the university’s offerings will enable you to tangibly change the world in a positive manner. Conclude by stating that this school is your dream college, and if offered a seat during the regular decision round, you'll accept it regardless of any other admissions decisions or financial aid offers that come your way.
If you have any questions about which colleges you should apply to under an early action plan, or need help because you were deferred, contact an admissions expert today.
