The Benefits of Applying Early to College

There are several great benefits of submitting your college application early. However, before we delve into the details of why you should strive to stay one step ahead of applicants on the regular decision timeline, it is essential to understand that there are two distinct types of early applications: Early Decision and Early Action.

Early Action, or EA, allows students to apply to as many schools as they want during the fall semester. If you are accepted during the EA cycle, you aren’t required to decide on the school of your choice until May the following year. Early Decision, or ED, is similar in that applications are typically due in November, and it allows students to apply to their dream schools earlier than other applicants. However, ED is a more binding application process.

Early Decision students can only apply to one school at a time and are expected to attend the following fall if accepted. So, if a student receives an Early Decision acceptance letter, they’re expected to withdraw any other college applications they’ve submitted and make a deposit to hold their spot. If you’re interested in applying to more than one school early, it’s best to go with EA because those who attempt to apply to, for example, two schools via ED could risk rejection letters from both if the schools find out (and there’s a good chance they will, since admissions officers often compare lists). 

Regardless of which option you choose, applying early to college can certainly get you closer to achieving your academic goals. For starters, Early Action/Decision demonstrates genuine interest. Students who take this kind of initiative showcase levels of commitment and enthusiasm that stand out to admissions officers. It’s also common for early applicants to have stronger academic records and higher confidence, both of which bode well in admissions, as they don’t require additional time to participate in last-minute extracurricular activities or improve their grades or test scores. 

This combination of characteristics typically produces a more qualified applicant pool, which means college acceptance rates are higher, on average, among EA/ED students than among applicants applying regularly. Submitting applications early also helps to alleviate some of the stress students face when preparing for graduation. Whereas most students who follow the regular admissions timeline often wait until mid-spring for a decision, those who apply in the fall typically receive an answer from their schools within weeks, usually by early to mid-January at the latest. The benefits don’t end at higher acceptance rates and quicker decisions, though.

Getting a head start on applications gives you more time to apply to every school on your list in order of priority, starting with your top choices for EA/ED and your backups for regular decision. It also allows more time to consider your options carefully, apply for scholarships and financial aid, arrange on- or off-campus housing, and make other important preparations necessary for college life. 

Despite the many benefits Early Action or Early Decision offer, college applications are time-intensive and thorough, and you should only apply early if you’re confident in your academic profile. Make sure your grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities are meeting the mark. If they aren’t, it’s okay. There’s still time to retake a standardized test or two, pursue extra credit, enhance your resume with advanced research, or develop a signature a project. One more good semester can mean the difference between an acceptance letter and a rejection letter. Applying early can help you tremendously, but always do what’s best for you.