Education
A Complete Guide to Applying Early to College

A Complete Guide to Applying Early to College

When transitioning to higher education, choosing which college to apply to is a critical decision, and deciding when to apply is another challenge. Most students typically apply to colleges through the regular admission option. However, early admission options, such as early decision and early action, are gaining traction among U.S. students. Each early admission option has its own deadlines and rules for applicants.  

Let’s dig deeper into the early admission options.

Understanding the Early Admission Options 

In general, the regular admission process is highly competitive, with fewer chances of acceptance. To help students apply before the regular deadline, around 450 colleges in the U.S. offer early admission options such as early decision and early action. Let’s explore what each option offers:

Early Decision:

Early decision is a binding application option in which, if you apply and are accepted, you are committed to enroll at that college and must withdraw any other college applications. This option is best for students who have a clear top choice of college. 

Pros of Early Decision:

  • Early decision applications have a higher acceptance rate than regular applications because they demonstrate a student’s commitment to the college. 
  • You get the admission decision earlier, typically by December. This can reduce your stress.   
  • There is generally less competition for early decision applications compared to regular ones.  
  • Receiving the admission decision early allows you to plan better for college

Cons of Early Decision:

  • The binding nature of the application limits your options.  
  • It could impact on your financial planning as you cannot compare the financial aid offers from different colleges.  
  • It requires you to complete your application, essays, and standardized tests earlier than regular deadlines.  
  • It puts pressure on students to clearly decide their first choice. 

Early Action: 

Early Action, on the other hand, is a non-binding application process that allows you to apply to multiple colleges offering Early Action. Upon acceptance, you have the option to either accept, decline, or postpone until the spring.

Pros of Early Action: 

  • The major advantage of the early action application is its non-binding nature, which allows students to apply to multiple colleges without being obligated to attend if accepted. 
  • You receive your admission decision early, giving you more time to plan and reducing your stress. 
  • You have ample time to compare financial aid offers from different colleges and make an informed choice. 
  • Applying early demonstrates your interest in a particular program, which can give you a slight edge in the admissions process. 

Cons of Early Action:

  • When you apply under early action, you must complete your application, essays, and standardized tests earlier than the regular application process. 
  • While the number of applications is typically lower than for the regular deadline, strong candidates often apply for early action, making the competition tough. 
  • Not all colleges offer early action, which can limit your options. 

 Tips to Apply Early 

Applying early can be a turning point in your career, but it requires a strategic approach and proper planning. Here are some tips that will help navigate the early application process seamlessly: 

Research Properly: 

  • Each college has its own set of rules and policies. Before applying for early admissions, carefully research these on the college’s website.  
  • Set reminders and mark the deadlines, such as EA and ED applying deadlines, submitting test scores, recommendations, and more. 

Self-Evaluation of Your Application: 

  • Assess your application and ensure that it’s complete and competitive enough.  
  • Highlight your strengths in the application through your essays or extracurricular achievements. This should help you stand out from other applicants. 

Understand the Financial Implications:

  • In the event of an early decision, it is important to understand the financial implications of an early decision, as you are entering into a binding contract with the college. Discuss this with your family; otherwise, you could end up breaking the ED (early decision) agreement due to financial constraints.   
  • If you are applying under early action, it’s better to compare financial aid offers by multiple colleges before making a choice.

Seek Guidance from Experts: 

  • Seek guidance from your high school counselor in choosing the type of application that best suits you. 
  • If you still have confusion, consider consulting an independent counselor for specialized advice. 

Be Prepared for the Outcomes:

  • It’s good if you’re selected but be prepared to apply to other colleges if your application is deferred or denied. 
  • Some colleges provide rolling admission options. It could be a beneficial backup option for you.  
  • Analyze where you fell short, work on your shortcomings, and then apply through the regular admission process. 
    I believe these tips will help you stay prepared for your early application and navigate the process smoothly.  

Conclusion: 

Applying early to colleges is undoubtedly a good option if you are seeking a higher chance of acceptance at your dream college. However, we advise you to thoroughly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of early decision and early action options before submitting your application. 

Early Action Deadlines: 

To further help you, we have compiled the list of colleges with their Early Action deadlines.  

Schools having Early Action Deadline in October 

School Name Early Action Deadline Early Action II Deadline 
Hampden-Sydney College October 15 December 1 
Nebraska Wesleyan University October 15   
University of Georgia October 15   
Westmont College October 15 November 1 
Georgia College October 15   
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill October 15   
University of South Carolina—Columbia October 15   
Georgia Institute of Technology October 17 November 1 
American University in Beirut (AUB) October 31   
Transylvania University October 31 December 1 

Schools having Early Action Deadline in November 

School Name Early Action Deadline Early Action II Deadline 
Appalachian State University November 1   
Assumption College November 15 December 15 
Augustana College (Illinois) November 1   
Austin College November 1 February 1 
Babson College November 1   
Bard College November 1   
Bard College Berlin November 1   
Baylor University November 1   
Bellarmine University November 1   
Beloit College November 1 December 1 
Berry College November 1   
Butler University November 1   
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) November 1   
Carroll College (Montana) November 1   
Case Western Reserve University November 1   
Centenary University November 1   
Chapman University November 1   
Clark Atlanta University November 1   
Clark University November 15   
Colorado College November 1   
Concordia College November 1   
Creighton College November 1   
Dean College November 1 December 1 
Drexel University November 1   
Duquesne University November 1 December 1 
Earlham College November 1 December 1 
Elmira College November 15   
Elon University November 1   
Emmanuel College (MA) November 1 December 15 
Fairfield University November 1   
Fisk University November 1 February 1 
Florida Gulf Coast University November 1   
Florida Southern College November 1   
Fordham University November 1   
George Fox University November 1   
George Mason University November 1   
Georgetown University November 1   
Gustavus Adolphus College November 1   
Hamline University (MN) November 1   
Hanover College November 1 December 1 
Harvard University November 1   
Howard University November 1   
Indiana University Bloomington November 1   
Johnson & Wales University—Charlotte November 1   
Johnson & Wales University—Denver November 1   
Johnson & Wales University—North Miami November 1   
Johnson & Wales University—Providence November 1   
Kalamazoo College November 1   
Knox College November 1 December 1 
Lake Forest College November 1 January 15 
Lawrence University November 1 December 1 
Lewis & Clark College November 1   
Linfield College November 1   
Lourdes University November 1 December 15 
Loyola Marymount University November 1   
Macalester College November 1   
Massachusetts College for Pharmacy & Health Sciences November 1 December 1 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) November 1   
Mercer University November 1 December 1 
Miami University (Ohio) November 1 December 1 
Minerva Schools at KGI November 1   
Morehouse College November 1   
Mount St. Mary’s University November 1 December 1 
New College of Florida November 1   
North Carolina AT&T State University November 1 December 15 
North Carolina State University November 1   
Northeastern University November 1   
Northwestern University in Qatar November 1   
Nova Southeastern University November 1   
Oregon State University November 1   
Penn State November 1   
Pennsylvania State University November 1   
Pepperdine University November 1   
Princeton University November 1   
Providence College November 1   
Purdue University November 1   
Rhodes College November 1 January 15 
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology November 1   
Saint Mary’s College of California November 1   
Saint Michael’s College November 1 (Extended to November 10 – 2022) December 1 
Salve Regina University November 1   
Santa Clara University November 1   
Sarah Lawrence College November 1   
Simmons University November 1 December 1 
Soka University of America November 1   
Southern Methodist University November 1   
Spelman College November 1   
St. Mary’s College of Maryland November 1   
Stanford University November 1   
Stonehill College November 1   
SUNY Binghamton University November 1   
Susquehanna University November 1 December 1 
Temple University November 1   
Texas Christian University November 1   
The Catholic University of America November 1   
      
The Ohio State University November 1   
The University of Tennessee Knoxville November 1   
The University of Utah November 1 February 1 
Thomas Jefferson University—East Falls Campus November 1   
Trinity University November 1   
Union College November 1   
University of Akron November 1   
University of Chicago November 1   
University of Dallas November 1 December 1 
University of Dayton November 1   
University of Delaware November 1   
University of Denver November 1   
University of Detroit Mercy November 1   
University of Evansville November 1   
University of Illinois at Chicago November 1   
University of Maryland, Baltimore County November 1   
University of Maryland, College Park November 1   
University of Massachusetts Boston November 1   
University of Massachusetts Lowell November 1   
University of Miami November 1   
University of Michigan November 1   
University of Minnesota Morris November 1 December 15 
University of Minnesota Twin Cities November 1   
University of North Carolina at Charlotte November 1   
University of North Carolina Greensboro November 1 December 1 
University of North Carolina Wilmington November 1   
University of Notre Dame November 1   
University of Oregon November 1   
University of Richmond November 1   
University of St. Thomas (MN) November 1   
University of Vermont November 1   
University of Virginia November 1   
University of Wisconsin-Madison November 1   
University San Francisco November 1   
Ursinus College November 1   
Villanova University November 1   
Western Colorado University November 1   
Wheaton College (IL) November 1   
Worcester Polytechnic Institute November 1 January 1 
Yale University November 1   
University of Massachusetts Amherst November 5   
Stetson University November 11 (2023 extension) January 15 
Agnes Scott College November 15 January 17 
Bridgewater State University November 15   
Bryant University November 15   
California College of the Arts November 15   
California Lutheran University November 15   
College of Mount Saint Vincent November 15   
College of Saint Benedict November 15   
College of St. Scholastica November 15   
College of Wooster November 15   
Concordia University, Irvine November 15 February 15 
Concordia University, Portland, OR November 15   
Covenant College November 15   
DePaul University November 15   
Eckerd College November 15   
Emerson College November 15   
Emory & Henry College November 15 January 15 
Framingham State University November 15   
Frostburg State University November 15   
Goucher College November 15   
Hampton University November 15   
Hawaii Pacific University November 15   
Hendrix College November 15 February 1 
High Point University November 15   
Hobart College November 15   
Hofstra University November 15 December 15 
Hollins University November 15   
Illinois Institute of Technology November 15 January 15 
Illinois Wesleyan University November 15   
John Cabot University in Rome November 15   
John Carroll University November 15   
Kettering University November 15 January 15 
La Salle University November 15   
Lasell University November 15   
Le Moyne College November 15   
Long Island University November 15   
Loyola University Maryland November 15   
Loyola University New Orleans November 15   
Lynn University November 15   
Lyon College November 15 February 1 
Marist College November 15   
Marymount University November 15   
McDaniel College November 15   
Menlo College November 15   
Merrimack College November 15 January 15 
Millsap College November 15   
Mitchell College November 15   
Monmouth College (IL) November 15 December 15 
New England Institute of Technology November 15   
New Jersey Institute of Technology November 15 December 15 
Northwest Nazarene University November 15   
Ohio University November 15   
Pace University November 15 December 1 
Pacific University Oregon November 15   
Point Loma Nazarene University November 15   
Purchase College, SUNY November 15   
Queens University of Charlotte November 15 January 18 
Quinnipac University November 15   
Randolph College November 15   
Randolph-Macon College November 15   
Reed College November 15   
Rider University November 15   
Roger Williams University November 15   
Saint Anselm College November 15   
Saint John’s University (MN) November 15 December 15 
Saint Joseph’s University November 15   
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine November 15 December 15 
School of the Art Institute of Chicago November 15 January 15 
Seattle Pacific University November 15   
Seattle University November 15   
Seattle University November 15 December 15 
Shepherd University November 15   
Siena College November 15   
Southern New Hampshire University November 15   
St. John’s College (MD) November 15 January 15 
St. John’s College (NM) November 15 January 15 
St. John’s University (NY) November 15   
Suffolk University November 15   
SUNY University at Albany November 15   
SUNY College at Old Westbury November 15   
SUNY College at Oneonta November 15   
SUNY Cortland November 15   
SUNY New Paltz November 15   
SUNY Oswego November 15   
SUNY Polytechnic Institute November 15   
SUNY University at Buffalo November 15   
Sweet Briar’s College November 15   
Texas Lutheran University November 15   
The American University of Paris November 15 October 1 
The College of Idaho November 15 January 16 
The College of Saint Rose November 15   
The Culinary Institute of America (CA) November 15   
The Culinary Institute of America (NY) November 15   
The Culinary Institute of America (TX) November 15   
The University of Scranton November 15   
Tulane University November 15   
University of Colorado Boulder November 15   
University of Hartford November 15   
University of Mary Washington November 15   
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth November 15   
University of Michigan—Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute November 15   
University of New England November 15   
University of New Hampshire November 15   
University of New Haven November 15 January 15 
University of Puget Sound November 1   
University of Redlands November 15   
University of the Pacific November 15   
University Tampa November 15 January 15 
Warren Wilson College November 15   
Westminster College (Pennsylvania) November 15   
Wheaton College (MA) November 15   
Whittier College November 15   
Whitworth University November 15 January 15 
Willamette University November 15   
Wofford College November 15   
Birmingham-Southern College November 16   
Manhattanville College November 18   
Maine Maritime Academy November 30   
University of Maine November 30  

Schools having Early Action Deadline in December 

School Name Early Action Deadline Early Action II Deadline 
Adelphi University December 1   
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences December 1   
Albion College December 1   
Alfred University December 1   
Allegheny College December 1 February 1 
Bennington College December 1   
Caldwell University December 1   
Canisius College December 1   
Centenary College of Louisiana December 1   
Centre College December 1   
Christopher Newport University December 1   
Colby-Sawyer College December 1   
Colorado State University December 1   
Curry College December 1   
DePauw University December 1   
D’Youville College December 1   
Franklin University Switzerland December 1   
Furman University December 1   
Guilford College December 1   
Hampshire College December 1   
Illinois College December 1   
Ithaca College December 1   
Jacobs University Bremen December 1 February 1 
Juniata College December 1 January 15 
King’s College December 1   
Lesley University December 1   
Lewis University December 1   
Lycoming College December 1   
Maine College of Art December 1   
Maryland Institute College of Art December 1   
Marymount Manhattan College December 1   
Massachusetts College of Art and Design December 1   
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts December 1   
Molloy College December 1   
Monmouth University December 1   
Montserrat College of Art December 1   
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles December 1   
Neumann University December 1   
Notre Dame de Namur University December 1 February 1 
Oglethorpe University December 1   
Ohio Wesleyan University December 1   
Old Dominion University December 1   
Otis College of Art and Design December 1   
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts December 1   
Presbyterian College December 1   
Quest University Canada December 1   
Radford University December 1   
Regis College December 1   
Russell Sage College December 1 February 1 
Salisbury University December 1   
Sewanee: The University of the South December 1   
St. Louis College of Pharmacy December 1   
University of Cincinnati December 1   
University of Kentucky December 1   
University of Southern Maine December 1   
University of Maine at Farmington December 1   
University of Rhode Island December 1   
Wabash College December 1   
Wagner College December 1   
Washington College December 1   
Wittenberg University December 1   
Meredith College December 1   
Longwood University December 1   
Nichols College December 1   
Coe College December 10   
College of Charleston December 15   
Drew University December 1   
Iona College December 15   
Otterbein University December 15   
Ramapo College of New Jersey December 15   
Sacred Heart University December 15 February 1 
Wells College December 15   
Western Michigan University December 15  

Schools having Early Action Deadline in January 

School Name Early Action Deadline 
Kean University January 1 
Luther College January 1 
University of Guelph January 12 
Marlboro College January 15 
Washington & Jefferson College January 15 

For more information on planning your college, read our blog Navigating the High School to College Transition: A Comprehensive Guide. 

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