Q. Early Decision vs. Early Action

A. While most people talk about early admissions programs as though all of them work similarly, in reality there are two very different types of programs offered by colleges.

Some schools have an "Early Decision" policy that requires students who apply by a November deadline to attend the college if they are accepted. In return, students are typically offered a decision sometime in December. Early Decision programs have been proven to provide a benefit to those who take advantage of them - put simply, it's easier to get into a college via the Early Decision process. If a student has a strong first-choice school, it makes sense to apply there Early Decision (while continuing to complete applications in case the student is rejected a decision is deferred).

Other schools, including Harvard until it announced the elimination of early admissions beginning in 2007, have what is typically called an "Early Action" program. Early Action is simply a promise by colleges to review applications on an expedited schedule. While some students are thus accepted in December, no one is required to attend the college or even make a decision before the regular May reply date. Early Action gives students the benefit of a possible early acceptance that can relieve stress and help with early planning. The drawback? While it likely provides a slight advantage, Early Action candidates do not enjoy nearly the admissions preference of Early Decision applicants.

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