Early Decision vs. Early Action.

It is almost November and many of my students are finalizing their applications for early decision schools. There is sometimes confusion between early decision and early action. Below is a brief summary of the differences from an article on The College Board website. To read the full article, click here.

Early decision plans are binding. Your child agrees to attend the college if it accepts him and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although your child can apply to only one college for early decision, he may apply to other colleges through the regular admissions process. If he’s accepted by his first-choice college early, your child must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.

Early action plans are similar but are not binding, unlike early decision. If your child has been accepted, he can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, your child may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, your child has until the late spring to let the college know his decision.

Single-choice early action is a new option offered by a few colleges. This plan works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early (either early action or early decision) to any other school. Your child can still apply to other schools and is not required to give a final answer of acceptance until the regular decision deadline.

http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/apply/college-applications/21342.html