The Difference Between Early Action and Early Decision
When it comes to applying for college, there are a variety of different admission options available to students. Two of the most popular options include Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED). While these two options may sound similar, they are actually quite different. In this article, we will take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Early Action and Early Decision.
Early Action (EA)
Early Action is an admission option that allows students to apply to a college early in the application process. With Early Action, students can submit their applications months before the regular admission deadline. In most cases, students will receive their decision from the college in late December or early January.
One of the biggest benefits of Early Action is that it allows students to receive their admission decision earlier than they would with regular admission. This can be especially helpful for students who are applying to several different colleges and want to make informed decisions about which schools they will ultimately attend.
Another benefit of Early Action is that it does not require students to commit to attending the college if they are accepted. This means that students can apply to multiple schools using the EA option, and then compare their options before making a final decision.
Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision is an admission option that requires students to apply early to a single college. Students who apply Early Decision typically must submit their application by November 1st, and they will typically receive their decision in mid-December.
Unlike Early Action, students who apply Early Decision are required to attend the college if they are accepted. This means that students must be confident that they want to attend the college before selecting this option.
One of the biggest benefits of Early Decision is that it can increase a student’s chances of being accepted to a competitive college. This is because colleges want to admit students who are committed to attending their school, and Early Decision applicants are considered to be more committed than regular admission applicants.
Conclusion
In summary, Early Action and Early Decision are two popular admission options that are available to students. While both options allow students to apply to colleges early in the application process, they are actually quite different. Early Action allows students to apply to multiple colleges and receive their admission decision early, while Early Decision requires students to commit to attending a single college if they are accepted. Understanding the differences between these two options can help students make informed decisions about which admission option is right for them.
Table difference between early action and early decision
Sorry, as an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions or beliefs, but I can provide you with an HTML code for a table comparing the differences between Early Action and Early Decision.
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| Criteria | Early Action | Early Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Typically between November 1 and December 1 | Typically November 1 or November 15 |
| Decision Notification | No later than January 1 | Mid-December |
| Binding vs. Non-Binding | Non-binding; applicants may apply to multiple schools under early action | Binding; applicants agree to attend the school if accepted |
| Admission Rate | May be slightly higher than regular decision | May be significantly higher than regular decision |
| Financial Aid/ Scholarship Consideration | Not impacted by early action | May be impacted by early decision, as schools may not offer a financial aid package to accepted students unless they commit to attending the institution |
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