As deadlines for early action and decision approach, seniors must choose which plan they should use when applying to universities. Factors for the choice depend on the type, competitiveness and priority of the university in the student’s college list. Students should utilize the early action plans for any school that offers the option and prioritize the early decision plan for their top universities.
Early action is a type of admissions plan where a student may choose to receive their acceptances or rejections from the college in a quicker manner. To apply early action, a student must submit all materials required at an earlier deadline to receive their considerations. Typically, applications are due early November, but it is important for students to note that the Universities of California and California State Universities do not offer early action.
Sana Hakimi (12) states, “I am going to be applying early action to a couple of private schools because it will be useful to get my decisions back sooner.”
Overall, it is a beneficial way for students to relieve the stress of college applications by finishing them quicker and submitting all materials sooner. The early action admission plan allows for flexibility for a student to review their acceptances from a multitude of colleges with ample time as well.
Early decision is a type of admissions plan where the decision is binding, and if the student is accepted, they are agreeing to attend the university. This plan should be utilized for a student’s top school, typically of great academic rigor and competitiveness, to increase their chance for acceptance. Early decision students are given priority admission, meaning that the acceptance rate for early decision is typically higher than regular decision and applying with this method can increase chances for admission.
Kylie Snyder (12) states, “I think I may look into applying early decision because I have a top school that I would love to go to.”
Students should only take the early decision admissions plan if they have a clear top school. Although early decision is binding, if the student’s financial offering or aid is not competent, the student can back out of the plan. However, students are advised to calculate their estimated aid before the time of application in order to fully commit to attend the school they are applying ED to.
Regular decision is the final admissions plan in which all materials are due at the latest accepted date, and most students submit their applications at this time. Students typically receive the decision after December. The only benefit for applying a regular decision compared to EA or ED is the later time of submissio and should be utilized for students who begin their applications later, or need more time to polish aspects of their essays and extracurriculars.
The college application process can be stressful and overwhelming to current seniors, however, there are still a variety of plans students can choose from and use depending on their pacing.
