Early Decision and Early Action: Use Both! Here’s Why...

Applying for college is an exciting time in your school life, but it's also very stress-inducing. Whether you're working with college application consultants or doing it solo, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with information. 

Forward-thinking high schoolers — seniors especially, and even some juniors — should already have their eyes on several colleges. You might already have zeroed in on a first choice in the college admission process. Maybe one has captured your imagination more than the rest. It’s your dream school, the one you’d attend in a heartbeat if accepted.

If that school offers Early Decision (ED), and it’s a financially feasible option for your family, then it may seem like the perfect plan: apply early, get accepted early, and avoid months of uncertainty. But putting all your hopes into one ED application—without a safety net—can be risky. That's where Early Action (EA) comes in.

But what exactly is "Early Decision" and "Early Action"? 

And which should you choose? 

Fortunately, you don't have to choose! As a firm specializing in college application consulting, we’re going to explain why. 

Early Decision vs. Early Action in College Admissions

First, let's clarify the difference. 

Early Decision

Early Decision (ED) is binding. If you're accepted, you must attend that school and withdraw all other applications. You can only apply to one ED college (with very few exceptions, such as applying to both Emory and Oxford at Emory University).

Early Action

Early Action (EA) is non-binding. You can apply to multiple EA schools, and if accepted, you're not required to commit. You’ll have until the national decision deadline of May 1 to make your final choice.

Some schools also offer Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single-Choice Early Action, which is non-binding but limits where else you can apply early. Be sure to read the fine print on each college’s policy - or clarify with a college application consulting service.

Why You Should Choose Both in the College Admissions Process

Many college admission counselors and educational consultants tell you, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. This holds true throughout the entire college admissions process. For instance, if all your efforts fill only the “dream school basket,” and you’re subsequently rejected or wait-listed, that basket will have lost its initial purpose. 

So, a more savvy and strategic college-bound senior like you should also put a few more eggs in the Early Action (EA) basket ─ not after the fact, but at the very same time as you submit that Early Decision application.

IMPORTANT: Students in the ED and EA pools of applicants typically enjoy a better potential for admission than do applicants in the Regular Decision (RD) application pool. 

The Benefits of Applying Early Action and Early Decision

According to College Board, approximately 450 colleges have Early Decision or Early Action plans, and some have both. Some colleges offer a non-binding option called Single-Choice Early Action (aka Restrictive Early Action), under which there are restrictions about applying ED or EA to other colleges.

Let’s look at the benefits of applying Early Action concurrently with Early Decision:

High School Students Could Have Good News by Christmas

True, some Early Action (EA) colleges may not release decisions until January, but most EA colleges send decisions in December, the same or similar timeframe as Early Decision. And EA gives you a leg up on hearing sooner than you would from Regular Decision colleges.

Applying Early Action Gives You a Leg Up in the College Admissions Journey

Early action is advantageous because most colleges’ Regular Decision plans have a significantly lower acceptance rate than do their Early Action plans. Even if it’s not a dream school, any institution on your EA list remains very much on the radar; otherwise, why apply there in the first place? 

Early Action Is Not Set in Stone

Even if you are delighted to have been accepted EA into a second or third-choice school, you’re not locked in. 

That leaves the option of attending elsewhere should a later acceptance arrive. Let’s face it, people do have the proclivity to change their minds, and it’s awfully nice to have the freedom to choose among options. Plus, how great is it to have a backup in the event that you get a disappointing letter in response to an Early Decision application?

Applying to Early Action and Early Decision Simultaneously Can Have a Great Payoff

Sure, college applications consultants may advise you to crank up the volume for a while and get EA college applications submitted along with an ED application before the first ED or EA date, likely October 15 or November 1. 

But the potential payoff is huge. Imagine entering the Holiday Season having made good headway working with your admissions consultant on college applications. That’s sure to bring some added seasonal joy. 

True, some institutions don’t offer EA or ED, so those applications will still be on the later “to do list.” Also true is that all ED schools have a policy that prohibits applying to another ED college. And yes, there are still those regular decision applications to complete. 

But hey, you’ll be off to a running start by getting as many EA college applications submitted as possible ─ and perhaps an ED application if there’s a clear top-choice college ─ before the turkey is stuffed, stockings are hung, and candles are lit. 

You, the collegiate-to-be, can now rejoice in the fact that testing is over, the college application process is close to over, and for the next few weeks, there’s nothing to do but enjoy the holidays with friends and family ─ and finish the few remaining Regular Decision applications.

EA Offers Extra Time to Make a Decision

Since even Early Action acceptance rates are typically higher than regular decision, there’s a better chance that several college options will lie before you. 

So, with a few wins already under the belt, you won’t be in any rush, or scrambling. Rather, you will have the luxury of taking time to make the all-important decision of where to spend the next four years. And more time to visualize from which institution a proudly displayed bumper sticker and diploma will come.

Ideally, you want options, and sooner rather than later. Applying Early Action ─ perhaps in conjunction with Early Decision (if you have a clear first choice that’s affordable) ─ is, for good reason, the best plan of attack with college applications, according to most educational consultants. 

The chance of acceptance is higher, and the pressure is off sooner, so the holidays and second half of senior year are primed to be as carefree and enjoyable as possible! 

The takeaway: College applications consultants highly encourage students to apply Early Action to all colleges that offer a non-restrictive Early Action plan ─ and Early Decision (if financially able) only to “the one,” that one-and-only college that has you swooning.

Second Round of ED and EA

Adding a little more confusion to this overwhelming process is the fact that several colleges offer a second round of ED and EA plans with deadlines typically in January. 

So if you have TWO top-choice colleges and are denied ED from one of them, you can apply ED2 to your other top-choice college. In a similar vein, if a new college suddenly popped up on your radar and offered EA2, you would have an advantage similar to applying EA during the first round.

Final Words

The college admissions journey doesn’t have to be filled with guesswork and last-minute decisions. By taking advantage of both Early Decision and Early Action—where strategically appropriate — you’re giving yourself the best chance to hear “yes” sooner, reduce your stress level, and gain more control over your future.

Think of ED as your bold, committed move toward the school you love most, and EA as a smart, low-risk strategy to expand your opportunities. Together, they form a powerful one-two punch in the admissions game.

The most successful applicants don’t just work hard — they work smart. So plan ahead, stay organized, and explore all your early application options. And remember: you don’t have to do it alone. There are college admissions consulting services available to help you navigate this process. 

Yes, the various admission paths can be confusing, but we’re here to help you use them to your advantage. JRA provides expert college application consulting to help students take the next step with confidence. 

Just contact us, and one of our experienced college application consultants will help you!