Early Decision (ED) is offered by more than 450 colleges and universities across the United States. ED is a binding agreement where you commit to attending if admitted. Understanding which schools offer ED helps you plan your application strategy carefully.
Early Decision is a binding early application program. You apply earlier than regular deadlines (usually November 1st or November 15th), receive your decision earlier (usually mid-December), and must attend if accepted. You can only apply ED to one school at a time.
When you apply ED, you sign an agreement stating you'll withdraw all other applications if admitted.
Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, and MIT do not offer Early Decision. They offer non-binding Early Action instead.
Many schools offer two Early Decision rounds:
ED I: Deadline usually November 1 or 15, decisions in mid-December ED II: Deadline usually January 1 or 15, decisions in mid-February
ED II allows you to apply binding early if:
ED acceptance rates are typically higher than Regular Decision rates. According to data from colleges, ED admit rates can be 2-3 times higher than RD rates at some schools.
This doesn't mean ED makes admission easier. ED pools include recruited athletes, legacy students, and highly qualified applicants who've done extensive research on the school.
Apply ED only if:
Don't apply ED if:
You can apply for financial aid with ED applications. If admitted, you'll receive a financial aid package. If the package makes the school unaffordable, you can decline admission based on financial reasons, but you must prove significant financial hardship.
Most ED agreements include a financial aid exception clause, but you should not rely on this. Apply ED only to schools you can realistically afford.
When admitted through ED:
Deferred: Your application moves to the Regular Decision pool. You're no longer bound by the ED agreement and can apply to other schools.
Denied: You're rejected from that school. You're free to apply anywhere else through Regular Decision or ED II at another school.
Research Extensively. Visit campuses, attend information sessions, and talk to current students before committing to ED.
Time Your Testing. Make sure your SAT or ACT scores are ready by the ED deadline. October test dates are the latest that work for November 1 deadlines.
Strengthen Your Application. Work on academic performance junior year and summer before senior year. Your ED application won't include senior fall grades (for ED I).
Perfect Your Essays. College essays matter enormously in ED applications. Start drafting early.
Deciding whether to apply Early Decision is a major choice that affects your entire college process. At LifeWorks, we help students strengthen their applications through test preparation, academic support, and college essay coaching. Whether you're applying ED or Regular Decision, we're here to support you. Get in touch to learn how we can help with your college applications.
Can I apply Early Decision to multiple schools?
No. You can only apply Early Decision to one school at a time. If denied or deferred from ED I, you can apply ED II to a different school.
What happens if I break an Early Decision agreement?
Breaking an ED agreement without valid financial reasons can result in admission rescission, other schools being notified, and high schools refusing to send transcripts. Don't commit to ED unless you're certain.
Can I apply Early Action to other schools if I apply ED somewhere?
Yes. You can apply Early Action (non-binding) to other schools while applying ED to your first choice. However, you must withdraw those EA applications if admitted ED.
Is Early Decision only for rich students?
No. ED is accessible to all students, but you should only apply ED if you're comfortable with the financial aid package you might receive, since you can't compare offers from other schools.
Do Early Decision acceptance rates really matter?
ED rates are higher, but correlation doesn't equal causation. ED pools contain many strong applicants. Apply ED because it's your first choice, not just because admit rates are higher.
How do I get out of Early Decision for financial reasons?
You must demonstrate to the college that their financial aid package makes attendance impossible. Schools require documentation of financial hardship. This should be a last resort, not a plan.
