When you're applying to colleges, all the different application options can get confusing fast. Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Decision… it feels like a lot. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each one means, and how to decide which is right for you.

Early Action (EA)

EA is a non-binding early application option. You get to apply earlier (usually November), but the best part is that you’re not locked in. If you get accepted, great! But you don’t have to go to that school—you can still consider other offers and make your final decision by the regular deadline (typically May 1).

TLDR: Apply early, hear back early, but you’re not committed.

Early Decision (ED)

ED is more serious. When you apply ED, you’re basically telling the college, "If you accept me, I’m coming." It’s a binding agreement, which means if you get in, you have to withdraw all of your other applications and go to that school. The catch? You need to be 100% sure that this school is your top choice.

TLDR: Apply early, but if they say yes, you're locked in.

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

Think of REA as a middle ground between EA and ED. It’s still non-binding (so you don’t have to commit if you get accepted), but there are restrictions on where else you can apply early. For example, some REA schools won’t let you apply to other schools under Early Decision or EA. It’s for students who are super interested in a specific school but don’t want to be locked into an ED contract.

TLDR: Non-binding like EA, but with extra rules about where else you can apply early.

Regular Decision (RD)

This is the traditional route. With RD, you apply by the normal deadline (usually January) and hear back in the spring. It gives you more time to complete your applications and compare offers once you’ve heard from all the schools.

TLDR: Apply by the standard deadline, hear back later, and have time to choose.

So, which one should you pick?

It really depends on how sure you are about a particular school. If you have a dream school and are 100% set on attending, ED could be the way to go. If you’re still weighing your options but want to know where you stand early on, EA or REA might be a better fit. And if you need more time to decide, RD is always a solid option.

No matter which you choose, just make sure to stay organized, know your deadlines, and know that you’ll end up where you’re meant to be! For help with every step of the admissions process, from essays to deadlines, try ESAI's suite of tools designed to help you through it all.