Early Action
A non-binding early admission plan allowing students to apply early (usually November) and receive decisions sooner, while keeping other options open.
Early Action (EA) allows students to submit applications earlier in the cycle and receive admissions decisions by December or January without any binding commitment. Unlike Early Decision, students accepted through EA can compare offers from multiple universities before making a final choice by May 1. Some institutions offer Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA), which prohibits applying EA to other private universities while still remaining non-binding.
Related Terms
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University Application Timeline: Month-by-Month
A detailed month-by-month timeline for university applications, from junior year preparation through final decisions.
Early Decision vs Early Action
Understanding the strategic differences between binding Early Decision and non-binding Early Action admission plans.