As the college application season kicks in, as a Grade 12 student, you face a big question: When should you apply? Should you aim for Early Action (EA), commit through Early Decision (ED), or wait for Regular Decision (RD)? Each college application plan comes with its deadlines, benefits, and commitments. Understanding these options can help you make a choice that fits your goals, readiness, and financial needs.
Restrictive Early Action (REA)
Restrictive Early Action (REA) or also called Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA), is a non-binding early application, but you can’t apply ED/EA to other private universities.
When is REA a good option?
- You’re ready early and have an extremely strong application to apply to a top private school (like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Notre Dame) without committing.
- You want flexibility to compare offers later.
- You’re not sure of your first choice but want to take advantage of early deadlines.
Must Read: Path to College – A Fun and Simple Timeline (Grade 9 to Grade 12)
Early Action (EA)
The EA plan allows you to apply to colleges ahead of the usual deadlines and receive a decision earlier, without the pressure of committing right away.
- Deadline: Usually November 1 or November 15
- Decision: Mid-December
- Commitment: Non-binding. You can still apply to other schools and compare offers.
Why Choose Early Action (EA)?
✅ You’ll know sooner if you got in—reducing stress.
✅ You have more time to decide and compare financial aid.
✅ Can apply to multiple EA schools.
Who’s it for?
It’s mostly suited if you have:
- Strong academic profile including high grades and competitive test scores
- Strong essays and recommendation letters
- Well-defined extracurriculars
- Confidence in your first-choice college and want flexibility
Early Action is NOT for you if –
- You feel your application could be significantly strengthened by improving grades in the fall semester, retaking standardized tests, or adding more impactful extracurriculars
- Not sure about major, and you are still exploring different programs, universities, or even career paths
- Have concerns about finances
Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision is a binding application plan. If you apply ED and are accepted, you must attend that school and withdraw all other college applications.
ED is a contract that is signed by the student, parent, and the school counselor. It is binding, and breach of this contract does not bode well for the high school. Hence, applying ED is a deliberate process that might not be the right choice for everyone.
Why applying to ED is not a good choice in a few cases:
- Applying early means deciding by October/November, which gives very limited time to explore more schools or career goals. It also means that you get less time to build/improve your profile (e.g., retake SAT/ACT, boost academics, etc.). If your application isn’t considered competitive by the early deadline (especially for ED I), it is better to apply later when you can present stronger academics or extracurriculars
- ED is a binding contract—if accepted, you must attend, regardless of financial aid. It is not ideal if you need to compare financial aid offers or haven’t finalized your top-choice school
- Some universities/colleges use the ED/ REA/ SCEA cycle to admit their recruited athletes or legacy applicants, which impacts the acceptances of other applicants in that cycle
ED (ED I) is ideally for the students who are confident about their dream school and their family’s ability to afford it. On the other hand, ED II is for the students who need more time to prepare their application but still have a clear first-choice school and are comfortable with a binding commitment.
ED I vs ED II
- ED I – Oct 15- Nov 15/ shows strong interest early/ best for students with very clear #1 choice and a strong profile
- ED II – Typically Jan 1-15/ still shows interest but gives more time/ best for students that have missed ED1 but still have a clear choice
Regular Decision (RD)
Regular Decision is the standard application plan. It has the latest deadline and is non-binding, allowing students to apply to multiple schools and compare offers.
Why Choose RD?
✅ More time to perfect your application.
✅ Freedom to apply to multiple colleges and compare financial aid offers.What to Keep in Mind:
❌ Acceptance rates can be lower than ED/EA due to larger applicant pools.
❌ Longer wait for decisions.
Restrictive Early Action vs Early Action vs Early Decision vs Regular Decision
| Application Plan | Deadline | Decision Date | Binding? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | Nov 1 / Nov 15 | Mid-December | No | Strong applications ready early, want flexibility |
| Restrictive Early Action (REA) | Nov 1 / Nov 15 | Mid-December | No* | Students with a clear top choice who want early results but flexibility elsewhere |
| Early Decision | Nov 1 / Nov 15 | Mid-December | Yes | Students with a clear first-choice and financial certainty |
| Early Decision II | Jan 1 / Jan 15 | Mid-February | Yes | Late bloomers with a dream school |
| Regular Decision | Jan 1 | March/April | No | Students needing more time and wanting multiple options |
* REA is non-binding, but you may face restrictions on applying early to other private colleges.
Highly Selective Universities with Early Action (or similar restrictive policies):
- Harvard University: Offers Restrictive Early Action (REA)
- Yale University: Offers Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)
- Princeton University: Offers Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)
- Stanford University: Offers Restrictive Early Action (REA)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Offers Early Action
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Offers Early Action
- Georgetown University: Offers Early Action
Other Notable Universities with Early Action:
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: A very popular public university that offers Early Action
- University of Virginia: Offers Early Action
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Offers Early Action
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech): Offers Early Action
- Northeastern University: Offers Early Action
- University of Notre Dame: Offers Early Action
- University of Georgia: Offers Early Action
- Purdue University: Offers Early Action
- Ohio State University: Offers Early Action
- Indiana University – Bloomington: Offers Early Action
- University of Wisconsin – Madison: Offers Early Action
- University of Washington: Offers Early Action
- Rutgers University: Offers Early Action
- Penn State University: Offers Early Action
Key Factors to Consider while Choosing the Right College Application Plan
Choosing between Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED), or Regular Decision (RD) isn’t just about deadlines – it’s about finding what works best for you. Here’s what to consider:
Clarity on Your Top Choice
Are you absolutely sure about your dream college?
If yes, ED might be worth it. But remember, it’s binding—you’ll have to attend if accepted.
Strength of Your Profile
Do your grades, test scores, and activities already reflect your best work? Strong applicants can benefit from EA/ED’s higher acceptance rates.
Need for Financial Aid
If comparing financial aid packages is important, EA or RD may give you more flexibility. ED doesn’t allow you to shop around.
Application Readiness
Are your essays, recommendations, and test scores ready by fall? If not, RD gives you extra time to polish everything.
College Research
Have you explored colleges deeply—beyond rankings—to know where you’ll thrive? Don’t rush this step.
The bottom line: Choose a plan that aligns with your readiness, priorities, and peace of mind.
Tanmoy Ray is an experienced admissions consultant and content marketer with a passion for helping students achieve their global education dreams. After completing his Master’s degree in the UK, he worked with leading universities including the University of Oxford (UK), Utrecht University (Netherlands), and the University of New South Wales (Australia). Tanmoy combines his deep expertise in higher education with a talent for crafting student-focused resources that simplify complex admissions processes.