Gain Admission Benefits by Applying Early Action
I struggled to come up with a title for this blog post. Other titles included:
Why Early Action is Crucial for Your College Applications
How Early Action Can Increase Your College Acceptance Rate
Secure More Scholarships by Applying Early Action
Early Action: The Stress-Free Path to College Admission
I’m undeniably passionate and unapologetic about insisting students apply Early Action. In my experience, it's downright impractical to apply Regular Decision unless there are exceptional circumstances. When you’ve been in college admissions (and, frankly, working with teenagers) as long as I have, you learn a thing or two about deadlines and what truly works. Today, I’m not holding back. If you take away only two things about college admissions, let them be these: 1. The importance of a well-crafted college list to create a solid admissions strategy (that will be a different blog post), and 2. The critical value of Early Action deadlines.
These two pieces of advice alone can dramatically change your trajectory, giving you a significant advantage not just in the admissions process, but financially as well. Who wouldn’t want that?
The Gist of Early Action (EA) vs. Early Decision (ED)
Real quick, double-check you’ve got your terminology down. Early action (EA) allows you to apply to colleges earlier than the regular deadline without binding you to attend—meaning, you get your answer sooner, but can still weigh your options. On the other hand, Early Decision (ED) is a binding commitment. If they let you in, you are going to that school. No take-backsies. Got it? Cool. Let’s proceed. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE TERMS. Bad things happen.
If you missed the post on all the different deadline options, you can read it here. (Need to be linked.)
Statistically Speaking: Your Odds Just Skyrocketed 🚀🚀🚀
First up, the stats. Hold onto your seats because this is a game-changer: applying Early Action statistically gives you a 30% higher chance of admission compared to Regular Decision deadlines. That’s not just fluff; that’s math you can bet on.
Think of it like this: You’re playing a high-stakes poker game, and with Early Action, you suddenly get to see an extra card that none of your opponents get to see. That’s a massive edge. So why would you roll the dice on Regular Decision when you can play with a stacked deck?
Sidestep the Dreaded Waitlist Limbo
Next, let’s talk waitlists. They are the purgatory of the college admissions world. Especially when you're aiming for competitive majors like nursing, computer science, or pre-med, getting waitlisted can throw a wrench in your plans. EA helps you dodge that bullet.
In the regular admission cycle, by the time you hear back from your ‘Plan B’ school, your ‘Plan A’ might have already run out of space in your desired program. The result? You end up scrambling to fit into your second or third choice major—or worse, not getting admitted at all. Don’t risk it. Slide in early and claim your spot.
More Moolah, Less Problems 💵💰💳
Here’s the part where I could practically hear you cheer: more money. When you apply EA, you might find schools being more generous with their financial aid packages. Here’s why: academic institutions operate on academic years, not calendar years. At the start of the academic year, guess what? There’s a bigger pot of money.
Applying early means you're diving into that big, juicy pool of scholarships and grants before the school’s budget starts to dip. By the time Regular Decision deadlines roll around, that pot might be running dry. More reasons to get in line early.
Financial Aid: Time is Money ⌛+⌚= 💸
This ties tightly with the financial angle—time. If you apply early and submit your FAFSA, you’ll likely get your financial aid information sooner. If there’s a need to appeal for more aid, you’ve got time to sort that out before National Decision Day on May 1. I get a lot of panic-calling in the summer wondering how on earth they'll pay for their kid’s tuition. That's stress you can avoid altogether if you play your cards right.
The earlier you apply, the better your chances of snagging those scholarships and financial aid. In addition, many colleges have separate scholarship deadlines that come BEFORE Regular Decision deadlines, so you can miss the opportunity for private scholarships the university offers outside of financial aid. For example:
College of Awesome Students Deadlines:
November 1st- Early Action Deadline
December 1st- Scholarship Application Deadline
February 1st- Regular Decision Deadline
See how you would miss the scholarship deadline if you applied RD?
Time to Plan and Preen 📅
Now, let’s get down to a biggie: time management. I can practically see you jotting down the ultimate bucket list for senior year. Applying EA allows you to do just that—actually enjoy the last year of high school. By locking in your applications early, you free up the rest of the school year to focus on college tours, nailing down those scholarships, and soaking in those golden moments of senior year.
Imagine this: while your classmates are knee-deep in application essays come January or even later, you could be hanging out on college campuses, weighing your choices, or snagging early bird scholarships.
Stress? What Stress? 😩🫀😿
The unsung hero of applying EA is the monstrous reduction in stress. Imagine walking into senior year knowing you’ve already got some college acceptances in your back pocket. It’s a massive load off your shoulders.
Parents, you’ll thank me too. By avoiding the last-minute scramble, everyone’s cortisol levels stay manageable. You can use the extra time to plan college visits, figure out financial aid, and just breathe.
Early Bird Gets the Best of the Best 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Finally, there’s a ripple effect. Early Action doesn't just have you seeing acceptances trickle in early; it sets a high standard for organization and foresight that looks stellar to colleges. When applications get in early, they’re usually polished to perfection, less likely to suffer from the hurried typos and oversights that a last-minute rush can cause. Believe me, those of us who see student’s work a lot know when they rushed it, and it never makes them look good.
Procrastinators Beware
Common culprits causing missed early deadlines? Procrastination. They say ignorance is bliss, but not when it costs you a spot in your dream school. Trust me, the most harmful myth out there is "I’ll have more time once school starts." Spoiler alert: you won’t.
Planning to meet EA deadlines requires discipline and planning, especially in the summer before senior year. That’s the time to sharpen your pencils, not to take month-long European vacations, work full-time, or sign up for an intense camp at a far-flung university.
Beat the System While It Still Works 💻🧑🏻💻
There’s something you’ve got to know, dear planners: the system itself can be your enemy close to deadlines. Perfectly composed applications run aground on buggy, overloaded servers which get progressively worse about two weeks before any major deadline. Avoid the common pitfall by submitting your applications well before the horde, sidestepping system crashes, and ensuring everything goes smoothly.
Like accountants facing tax season, everyone—counselors, admissions offices, teachers, private consultants—is burning the candle at both ends during those final weeks. Get your questions answered, your forms filled, and your letters of recommendations stacked well in advance. Think of it as your golden rule for college applications.
Don’t Do This: The Biggest Mistake Students Make in Their Time Management (Where College Applications Are Concerned)
I know, I know, you’ve got sports, work, tests, homework, and a thousand other things vying for your attention. It’s easy to push college apps off because they feel like just another “extra” thing to do. But here’s the deal: they’re not extra—they’re essential.
Picture this: It’s a hectic week, you’ve got three tests, a big project, and a couple of games. You think, “Okay, I’ll focus on my college stuff next week when things calm down.” But here’s where I step in and say, “Nope! Time to reprioritize.” Think about it—what’s the point of acing your chemistry test if you miss a college application deadline? All that hard work goes right out the window. What have you really been working for if you let those deadlines slip?
College applications should not be at the bottom of your priority list. They should be the TOP of the priority list. Period. Reprioritize and plan your schedule accordingly.
This is why I always say, "Use your summer wisely and start in the spring of your junior year." But if you’re already swamped, here’s what you need to do: Using the example above, pick 1-2 tests to really study for, cross your fingers on the rest, and accept that you might take a lower grade on something else. Because, let me tell you, college essays and applications are way more important than that calculus test. You may even have to lose some sleep and not perform as well in your games that week. It’s up to you and how good those organization and time management skills of yours are.
Let’s talk dollars and sense—on average, students who apply Early Action (EA) tend to snag a few thousand extra bucks in scholarships. So, ask yourself: Is that calculus test or English project worth $3,000? How about $1,000? Or even $200? And don’t even get me started on the stress of system crashes when you’re trying to submit those applications at the last-minute. Trust me, you don’t want to go there.
So, take a deep breath, reprioritize, and put those college applications at the top of your list. Your future self will thank you.
Wrapping Up: The Smart Move
To sum things up, Early Action isn’t just a choice you can make; it’s the smartest one. Higher admission odds, avoiding waitlists, tapping into financial aid early, having the luxury of time, and minimizing stress—these are benefits you’d be hard-pressed to pass up.
Shatter the notion that you can afford to wait. Beat the rush, beat the stress, and take the reins of your own future. You won't just survive the college application process—you’ll conquer it.
For even more helpful information, be sure to check out the detailed video I’ve created! 🎥 It dives deeper into the topic and includes additional insights that may help you. Click here to watch
