What Is Early Action in College Admissions?

When you're getting ready to apply to college, strategic planning and timely decision-making are crucial. As students decide where and when to apply, many students opt to apply Early Action (EA). Unlike Early Decision, applying EA leaves you free from binding commitments but can give you an edge in the admissions process. And, while you'll have to apply earlier, you're notified earlier too, which can give you some added flexibility as you plan your transition to college.

In this blog, we'll explore all of the details surrounding Early Action — what it means for your admissions strategy, timelines to consider, its pros and cons, and how to decide if it's the right choice for you.

What Is Early Action?

Early Action (EA) is a college application process where you can submit your application to a preferred college early in your senior year — typically with an application deadline on November 1st or November 15th.

Notification timelines can vary considerably from school to school, but it's usually between early December and late January that schools notify EA applicants of admissions decisions.

Early Action is distinct from other application routes, such as Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD).

Unlike Early Decision (ED), Early Action is non-binding, meaning that if admitted, you're not obligated to attend the institution. It offers a middle ground between the regular decision process and the more restrictive Early Decision plans.

One challenge when applying EA is meeting the earlier application deadline, which can vary by school, but falls earlier in your senior year.

An upside to Applying Early Action is that it typically means you're likely to benefit from a significantly higher acceptance rate, compared to acceptance rates for students applying RD to the same school, while also highlighting your strong interest in the school.

With acceptance rates at the Ivy League schools and other top-ranked institutions at their lowest ever, applying early can be one compelling option as part of a comprehensive application strategy.

In a moment we'll take a closer look at EA acceptance rates and explore the pros and cons of applying EA, so keep reading!

Types of Early Action

Many schools only offer Early Action. However, some schools offer two Early Action timelines: Early Action 1 (EA 1) and Early Action 2 (EA 2).

Another type of Early Action application process also exists, and involves more restrictions: commonly referred to as either Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) or Restrictive Early Action (REA).

What you need to know about EA 1 and EA 2:

• Same Policy & Commitments: EA 1 and EA 2 typically involve the same policies, but offer staggered timelines for applicants.
• Variations in Acceptance Rates: In most cases you're likely to discover that the EA 2 acceptance rate is slightly lower than the EA 1 rate at the same school, but still better than the Regular Decision acceptance rate.
• Different Timelines: EA 2 application timelines typically fall between EA 1 and Regular Decision timelines. While EA 1 application deadlines are typically in early November, EA 2 deadlines typically fall between mid-December and mid-January.
• Popularity: You'll find many schools offering only EA, and a smaller number offering EA1/EA2. Later in this post you'll learn more about just how many institutions offer EA options, including which top-ranking schools.

Check out Mark Your Calendars: Understanding Early Application Notification Dates to learn more.

Understanding SCEA/REA

Applying SCEA or REA adds some stringent restrictions, and any decision to apply SCEA/REA deserves thorough consideration for this reason.

While policies can vary from school to school, here are the typical, prominent features of an SCEA/REA application process:

• Not Binding for Enrollment: If you're accepted, under a SCEA or REA plan there's no binding commitment that requires you to accept the offer.
• Limits Your Application Options: As the name implies, you're agreeing not to apply under early admissions to any other college or university. So, while you're not limited to what offers you consider down the road, you are limiting yourself to selecting only one school you can apply to early.
• Exceptions for Public Institutions: SCEA/REA restrictions typically do not prohibit you from applying early to public universities or schools overseas, but there are exceptions. Always carefully review SCEA/REA policies and consider your decision in the scope of your larger admissions strategies, obtaining guidance from a qualified admissions counselor as needed.
• Signaling Your Interest: Because they are so restrictive, SCEA/REA plans offer applicants a way to highlight a strong interest or "fit" for attending that specific institution — ideally for specific reasons you've also researched and mentioned in your personal statement, essays, and admissions interviews.
• Popularity: Many schools offer either an EA option or staggered EA1 and EA2 timelines. As for the more restrictive SCEA/REA plans, these are less prevalent, but you may encounter them at some very high-ranking institutions, such as Yale (SCEA), Harvard (REA), and Stanford (REA).

To give you an idea of the many ins and outs to consider when considering an SCEA or REA application route, here's what the REA policy looks like at Stanford:

• If you apply to Stanford with a decision plan of Restrictive Early Action, you may not apply to any other private college/university under their Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision, or Early Notification plan.
• You may not apply to any public university under an early binding plan, such as Early Decision.
• If you apply to Stanford under Restrictive Early Action, you may apply to other colleges and universities under their Regular Decision plan.
• If you apply to Stanford under Restrictive Early Action and you are either not offered admission or your application is deferred, you may apply to another college’s Early Decision II plan.

As you can see, applying SCEA or REA, can feel like signing a contract, or like you need a lawyer to advise you!

Fortunately, it's not really as complicated as that, but you should carefully think through your overall application goals and strategies — for all of your target and reach schools — before committing to this kind of agreement.

And, you can also reach out to a Crimson counselor for feedback on your strategy. (No. We're not lawyers... But we know admissions inside out!)

Top Schools With Early Action Plans

The following are some of the more popular, high-ranking schools offering Early Action options, showing what type of Early Action policy they have in place.

Early Action Acceptance Rates

The quest for a more favorable acceptance rate is a top reason for considering Early Action application processes when charting your path to top schools.

Let's look at how Early Action acceptance rates measure up against overall acceptance rates, focusing on top-ranked universities, Ivies and non-Ivies, to help you gauge the edge you can get applying early.

Remember, in addition to the pure numerical advantage, applying Early Action also helps you demonstrate a strong interest in the school you're applying to, giving your application a further boost.

As you take in the figures below, keep in mind that rates can change from year to year, that not all schools report acceptance rate data or report it promptly, and that the rates for EA 2 are usually lower than for EA 1 at the same school.

As you can see, even Early Action acceptance rates at top schools are very competitive, but in most cases the EA rate gives you a significant statistical edge compared to overall acceptance rates. Also, remember that across most highly selective schools, Regular Decision rates will trend the lowest of all.

Pros and Cons of Early Action

Like any strategic decision, Early Action comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can help you make a strategic choice that aligns with your goals.

Pros of Early Action:

Early Notification: One of the primary benefits of Early Action is that you receive admission decisions sooner than Regular Decision applicants. This can alleviate stress and allow you to plan accordingly.

Flexibility: Since Early Action is non-binding, you have the flexibility to compare offers and make a final decision closer to the Regular Decision deadline.

Demonstrated Interest: Applying early can demonstrate your genuine interest in the institution, potentially giving your application a slight boost.

Increased Acceptance Rates: Some colleges have higher acceptance rates for Early Action applicants compared to Regular Decision applicants, making it a favorable option for those aiming to improve their chances of admission.

The Yield Rate Advantage: Schools are often motivated to admit a high percentage of EA applicants. Why? Higher yield rates can boost the school's rankings.

Likewise, being able to predict yield rates can help schools manage enrollment numbers. For the highly restrictive SCEA and REA application options in particular, yield rate calculations are likely to be a factor in your favor.

Students agreeing to the restrictions are signaling that the school is their top choice, so school officials can be confident most SCEA/REA applicants will accept the offer if admitted. Each offer accepted increases the school yield rate, potentially boosting school rankings.

Now let's take a look at some of the cons of using an Early Action application strategy...

Cons of Early Action:

Less Compelling Application Information: Applying early means you might not have your senior-year grades and standardized test scores (if applicable) at the time of application. This could impact the overall strength of your application.

Pressure to Decide Early and Rushed Application: Early Action deadlines often fall in the first semester of your senior year, which can be a time of increased academic pressure. Rushing your application may result in a less polished submission.

Limited Options: If you are accepted under Early Action, you might feel compelled to commit to that institution, potentially limiting your ability to explore other offers.

Competitive Pool: Early Action pools can be highly competitive, as many high-achieving students apply early to their dream schools. This could make it more challenging to stand out.

Severe Restrictions: Applying under SCEA/REA can involve some severe restrictions on other early-round strategies you're considering for other schools you're targeting. making it not worth the trade-off to apply SCEA/REA.

Deciding Whether To Apply Early Action

The decision to apply Early Action should take several factors into account. Below is a list of things to consider when deciding whether or not to apply Early Action.

1. Academic Preparedness: Assess whether you have the necessary grades, test scores, and extracurricular achievements to present a strong application early in your senior year.
2. College List: Consider whether your top-choice colleges offer Early Action. Research each institution's policies and weigh the benefits of applying early to those that align with your preferences.
3. Application Readiness: Evaluate the readiness of your application materials, including essays, recommendation letters, and any additional requirements. Make sure you can submit a compelling and well-prepared application.
4. Future Test Dates: If you plan to take standardized tests again, check the testing schedule to ensure you have ample time to retake exams and receive scores before the Early Action deadline.

How To Apply Early Action

If you decide to pursue Early Action, follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process:

1. Research College Policies: Understand the specific Early Action policies of each college on your list. Some institutions offer Single Choice Early Action (SCEA), which restricts applicants from applying early to other private institutions.
2. Check Deadlines: Mark the Early Action application deadlines on your calendar. These typically fall in November, but specific dates vary by college.
3. Prepare Application Materials: Gather all necessary documents, including transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Ensure they reflect your strengths and achievements.
4. Submit the Application: Utilize the college's online application portal to submit your materials. Double-check that all components are included before hitting the submit button.
5. Follow Up: After submission, monitor your application status regularly. Address any additional requests for information promptly.

Strategies for Successful Early Action Applications

1. Thorough Research and Consideration: Understand the institution's culture, programs, and offerings to ensure a genuine fit before deciding. And, think about your overall application strategy, across all your target and reach schools — especially if you're going to agree to a restrictive version of Early Action policy.

2. Financial Preparation: Assess the college's financial aid policies thoroughly and discuss potential implications with your family or financial advisors.

3. Application Readiness: Complete all necessary components, such as essays, transcripts, and recommendations, well in advance to meet the early deadline effectively.

Should You Apply Early Action?

If you’ve had your sights set on one college and are sure it's the perfect fit for you, there’s little downside to applying Early Action. Depending on the school, you might increase your chances of acceptance by applying EA. An EA application, and a SCEA/REA one even more, will demonstrate your interest and commitment to your top-choice school — qualities admissions officers love to see.

Keep in mind that Early Action alone doesn't give you a better chance of getting accepted. Crimson Education US admissions strategist Steve Han says that early-round applicants he works with often succeed in large part because of the motivation they have to submit a really stellar application and well written essays.

Even applying in the early round, you still need to submit the strongest possible application — crafting a coherent narrative around a compelling profile and demonstrating a good fit for that school.

For help with deciding whether to apply EA, SCEA, or REA, and for crafting the kind of application submitted by top applicants, book a free consultation with one of our skilled academic advisers.

Navigating Admissions Deferrals

If you are neither accepted nor denied outright, you typically are deferred to the Regular Decision round. In this case, the college will notify you of the deferral and explain the timeline for next steps, which usually means they will reevaluate your application with the larger pool of applicants.

Keep in mind, deferrals can entail other requirements for you, as the school may request more information about your senior year: about extracurriculars, grades, IB/AP scores, and so on.

If you are rejected it could be during the first round of notifications or after your application was deferred and then re-evaluated in the regular round. Either way, you can’t apply again to the same school that academic year.

Final Thoughts

When applying to colleges, Early Action is clearly distinguished from Early Decision by the fact that you are not committing to attend the school if you're admitted. Applying Early Action is non-binding, granting you the freedom to explore other schools even after acceptance.

With higher acceptance rates and schools' efforts to manage yield rates in play, applying EA can put your application on a more favorable footing. With Regular Decision acceptance rates at top schools lower than ever, an EA strategy is worth considering.

If you're considering applying SCEA/REA, just remember that path can really limit your options in terms of strategies for applying to other schools you're interested in, so consider that decision carefully. Speak with a Crimson strategist for personalized guidance and feedback to be more confident about the next steps in your college journey and to learn more about strategies used by top applicants.