Should I Apply Early Action?
Should I Apply Early Action?
The month of November kicks off a frenzy of submitting college applications. Hopefully you have been working diligently on creating essays and activity lists that reflect you at your best since the summer. If so, you should be in a good position to think about whether or not early action makes sense for you.
If you have a clear top choice that offers early decision, it likely makes sense for you to choose this path. There is a statistical advantage with opting for ED borne from your commitment to attend if admitted. However, it can be less obvious if applying early action is an advantage for students. Surely, finding out results before Christmas can help ease the workload (not to mention stress) over winter break. But in many cases, applying EA is strategically questionable.
Let’s examine some of the most common reasons why you should consider limiting (or foregoing) early action.
Your story isn’t refined yet
Not every senior will return from summer break with a clear-cut narrative that runs through all the writing required of them. For some, it will take getting into the flow of schoolwork or making more progress on specific goals to tell the story that will be most successful.
It is considerably more important that you submit your strongest application than that you apply early action. If by the November 1st or 15th deadline you don’t feel totally confident that you’ve revised your writing to the point of excellence, then you are likely better served to wait until regular decision.
Remember, “good enough” is not good enough in this process. Even if you feel confident in your writing skills, having outside perspective from someone who has deeper understanding of what admissions officers are looking for can make a major positive difference in your results.
You need more time to make an impact
Have you been working on a research project? Is the app you’ve been writing code for not set to launch until December? Perhaps the online business you started this summer is just kicking into high gear. Or maybe you’re just beginning to implement major changes to the club you were newly elected president of.
There are many reasons why November may be too early to give admissions officers the best sense of who you are. If you fall into a category like this, we recommend you give yourself more time to solidify and reflect on your accomplishments before submitting your application.
Remember, your writing is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words – a story that admissions officers will use as evidence to advocate on your behalf. The stronger your accomplishments, the better it serves as an example of the positive impact you’ll make in college.
You have many different supplements to answer
Your entire college application – from your grades and activity list to each essay required – works together as a whole to tell your story. Some colleges (Stanford, Yale, Princeton, among others) require multiple additional pieces of writing beyond your main Common App essay. You will want to factor in the amount of time to craft excellent supplements into your decision-making process about the number of EA schools you intend to apply to.
If you are especially interested in applying EA to a school with a lot of supplements that you want to prioritize that application and save others for regular decision. Give yourself time to create your best work for each school on your list.
Working with an admissions expert can help you order your process in a way that gives you the greatest odds of success. It is crucial to implement sound strategy, including how best to utilize the option of early decision. Before you move any further in your writing process, make sure that your plan for submitting applications is optimized for your unique circumstances.
The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.
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