Early Action (EA) is a college application process that allows students to apply early, typically by early November, and receive an admissions decision earlier than regular decision applicants—usually between December and January. It is a non-binding option, meaning that if admitted, students are not obligated to attend the school and can still choose to enroll elsewhere. Early Action differs from Early Decision (ED), which is binding and requires a commitment to enroll if accepted. There are different types of Early Action programs:
- Non-restrictive EA allows students to apply early to multiple schools.
- Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action limits applying early to only one institution but still doesn't require commitment if admitted.
Early Action is popular because it gives students the advantage of knowing their admissions outcome sooner while maintaining flexibility in their final college choices. It may also come with a higher acceptance rate compared to regular decision at some schools, reflecting demonstrated interest without binding commitment.
