The search for strategy often works against a college applicant. Applying to early decision and early action programs can be one of those times.
Early decision and early action application programs allow applicants to submit a completed application (usually by November 1 or 15) and in return, you’ll get a decision by December 15. While the dates are similar, the big difference between the two plans is that early decision applicants are making a binding promise to the college—if you’re accepted, you must enroll. Schools offer those plans as options—applicants elect to participate in an early plan rather than in the regular decision pool.
At many schools, the admission rates for early applicants are higher than those in the regular pool. Many applicants surmise that those rates mean their chances of admission will be higher if they apply early. And that’s where the search for strategy can work against some students.
The most effective strategy as a college applicant is to present your strongest application. Don’t let a decision program get in the way of doing so. For more details, here’s some good advice from the University of Virginia’s blog.
To be clear, that post is speaking only for UVa. But I can’t think of a college that would give a different message than, “Apply when you can present your strongest application.”