🎓 Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision? What You Need to Know—and What I Tell My Students

Cheryl Coughlin
7 days ago
3 min read

The college application season is fast approaching and comes with excitement, pressure, and a lot of important deadlines and decisions. One of the biggest? Choosing how—and when—to apply to college from these three options:

Early Decision (ED)
Early Action (EA)
Regular Decision (RD)

As a college advisor of BestFit College Advisors, I walk students and families through this question every fall. And every year, I hear the same thing:

“Does it really make a difference which one I choose?”

The short answer is: yes, but it depends on your goals, your readiness, and your financial situation. Let’s break it all down—and I’ll share some real insights from my advising experience along the way.

📝 Early Decision (ED): The Commitment Move

Early Decision is ideal for students who have fallen completely in love with one school—and are ready to commit. When you apply Early Decision, you’re telling the college, “If you accept me, I will attend.”

Deadlines: Usually November 1 or 15
Binding: Yes—you’re contractually obligated to attend if accepted
Decision Release: Mid-December

✅ Pros:

Increased acceptance rates: Many selective schools admit a higher percentage of ED applicants, which can improve your odds.
Peace of mind: If you’re accepted, you’re done with the college search early.

⚠️ Cons:

You must withdraw all other applications if admitted.
You won’t be able to compare financial aid or scholarship offers—this can be limiting for many families.

College Advisor Insight: Early Decision can increase your chances at your top-choice school, but only if you are ready to commit and confident about finances. Consider your options carefully before applying.

🕊️ Early Action (EA): The Best of Both Worlds for Many

Early Action allows you to apply early without the pressure of a commitment while increasing your chances slightly over regular admissions. You can apply EA to multiple schools (unless it’s a Restricted or Single-Choice EA school).

Deadlines: Usually November 1 or 15
Binding: No
Decision Release: Typically December or January

✅ Pros:

Early peace of mind: You can receive acceptances before the holidays.
More flexibility: You can apply to other schools and compare offers.
Strategic advantage: Some schools do admit a slightly higher percentage of Early Action applicants.

⚠️ Cons:

You’ll need to be organized and ready to submit strong applications early.
Some of the most selective colleges still maintain tough EA admissions standards—being early doesn’t mean it's easy.

College Advisor Insight: I often recommend Early Action for students who are well-prepared by fall. It’s a low-risk way to potentially get good news early hopefully by the holidays and relieve some application stress.

⏰ Regular Decision (RD): The Traditional Path

Regular Decision is the most common and most flexible application option.

Deadlines: Typically January 1–15
Binding: No
Decision Release: March or April

✅ Pros:

More time to refine your essays, raise your GPA, and secure strong recommendations.
Freedom to apply widely and evaluate financial aid offers.

⚠️ Cons:

The most competitive round at many schools—since RD includes all applicants who didn’t get in early or waited until the deadline.
You’ll have a longer wait for decisions, which can add to the pressure in spring.

College Advisor Insight: Some students benefit from the extra time Regular Decision provides. If you’re not confident in your application by November, Regular Decision is not a “lesser” choice—it might just be the right one for you.

🎲 Do Early Applications Improve My Chances?

This question is often asked by students and parents alike.

📊 The Truth:

At many selective schools, the acceptance rate is higher for Early Decision. But it’s not because the admissions team “goes easier”—it’s because ED pools are full of highly motivated, well-prepared students who have shown strong interest.
Early Action can offer a slight advantage, especially if you're a strong applicant—but again, the competition is still intense at top-tier schools.
Regular Decision remains a strong option, especially if it means submitting a more polished and competitive application.

College Advisor Tip: The best application is the strongest one you can submit. If you're rushing to hit an early deadline and submitting work you’re unsure about, it might hurt more than help.

🧭 So, Which Should You Choose?

In summary, here’s what I tell my students:

Choose Early Decision if you have a clear first-choice school, have done your research, and are confident in the financial fit.
Choose Early Action if you’re ready early and want the benefits of an early timeline without the commitment.
Choose Regular Decision if you need more time to grow your academic profile, finalize your list, or create your best application.

And remember: there’s no “right” path for everyone. What matters most is that your application reflects your best self—your voice, your achievements, and your goals. Please feel free to reach out to BestFit College Advisors if you are in need of any college application advice.