Applying Early Action vs. Early Decision

Apr 17

Navigating the college admissions process as a student athlete comes with its own unique challenges, and when it comes to applying early, the choices can feel even more overwhelming. At POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting, we’re here to help student-athletes and their families make informed decisions about Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) options.

Both ED and EA allow students to apply to colleges early, but they come with key differences that impact flexibility, commitment, and financial planning. The higher education ecosystem Colleges and universities use Early Decision (ED) as a strategic tool in admissions and enrollment management to better predict and control their incoming class.

The higher education approach to college admissions and enrollment management functions as a dynamic ecosystem—one in which various institutional priorities, financial pressures, and external influences interact to shape outcomes. At the heart of this ecosystem is the need for colleges and universities to build a well-rounded, mission-aligned incoming class while meeting goals related to academic profile, revenue, and retention.

Key Differences: Early Decision vs. Early Action

Early Decision (ED):

Binding agreement—if you’re accepted, you must attend.
You can only apply ED to one college.
Must withdraw other applications if accepted.

Early Action (EA):

Non-binding—you can apply to multiple schools and decide by May 1.
Gives you more time to compare offers and explore options.
Some colleges offer Single-Choice EA, which limits other early applications but is still non-binding.

Why Student Athletes Consider Applying Early

Benefits:

Demonstrates strong interest to coaches and admissions, something many programs value highly.
May boost your chances of admission, especially if a coach is advocating for you.
Reduces stress by getting decisions sooner.
More time to plan for housing, financial logistics, and next steps if accepted.

Drawbacks (primarily all ED related):

Less flexibility with ED, where you're locked in before seeing all your options.
No ability to compare financial aid packages with ED. This can be risky if finances are a major consideration.
External factors–life happens and binding agreements can add a layer of stress for students and parents navigating the recruitment and ED admissions process.

Who Should Apply Early?

You might be a good candidate for ED or EA if:

You’ve done extensive research and are confident in your first-choice college.
You meet or exceed that college’s academic profile.
You’ve spoken with coaches and feel comfortable with the athletic fit.
Your academic record has been strong throughout high school.
You’ve had a conversation with your family about financial implications.

Did You Know?

About 450 colleges offer ED or EA plans—some offer both.
ED may favor wealthier applicants, since they don't need to compare financial aid packages.
Most early deadlines are in November, with decisions typically released by December or January.

What About Admissions Chances?

Many student athletes (and families) assume that applying early gives them a better shot at getting in. This can be true, but it’s not a guarantee. Sometimes higher ED acceptance rates reflect stronger applicant pools, not relaxed standards. Always ask the admissions office about how they evaluate ED vs. regular applicants.

Ethics & Application Process

If applying ED, students, parents, and counselors must sign an ED agreement, confirming the binding nature of the plan.
Schools should only send one final transcript for ED applicants. Applying to multiple ED programs is unethical.
Make sure your school counselor is on board with your early application plans. They also need to sign the ED agreement along with your parent/guardian.