Sophia AlexanderDeciding when to apply for college is just one more thing on an already long to-do list. But if you’re looking for a great way to boost your odds of getting into your dream school, applying Early Decision (ED) is a standout option.
These days, Early Decision has grown increasingly popular among college applicants. More and more students are choosing ED for their top-choice schools to get an admission decision before January 1st—instead of waiting through the regular application cycle in the spring.
Many of the students I work with opt for Early Decision for different reasons, while others pick a different application timeline to keep their college options open. If you need substantial financial aid and want to compare offers, it’s smarter to go with Early Action or apply during the regular decision period.
My son chose Early Action, and my daughter applied in the regular decision cycle. Both were able to pick the college that worked best for them and use their financial aid offers to secure more support from their chosen schools.
What is Early Decision?
Early Decision is the strictest of the early application options. It’s a binding agreement between you and the school—meaning if you’re accepted, you must enroll.
The key thing to remember? You can only apply ED to one college. So, you’d better be certain it’s your absolute first choice. If admitted, you’ll get your decision early, usually by mid-December.
Not every college offers ED, though. You can check if your target schools do by browsing our extensive college database.
Can You Apply Early Decision to Multiple Schools?
If a student applies ED to more than one college and breaks the agreement, they risk losing all their admission offers. While colleges can’t force a student to attend, they expect applicants and families to act ethically and honor their commitment.
Applying ED means choosing one school as your top pick and being fully prepared to go if accepted.
What is Early Decision II?
Some colleges also offer ED II. With this option, you can apply in early January and typically hear back by February—sooner than regular decision applicants. Like ED I, ED II is binding: if admitted, you must commit.
You can check if your schools offer ED II in our college database.
When Are Early Decision Applications Due?
ED deadlines usually fall before November 1st. For ED II, deadlines are in early January—often the same as regular decision applications.
Does Early Decision Improve Your Admission Chances?
If you have a clear dream school, applying ED can give you an edge. Your application gets reviewed ahead of regular decision candidates, putting you at the front of the line.
At many colleges, ED applicants have a much higher acceptance rate. For example, Bates College admits just 14% of applicants overall—but for ED candidates, that number jumps to 50%. That’s a huge advantage.
Other Perks of Applying Early Decision
- Get it done early. By the holidays, your applications are finished, and you can relax (and eat all the sweets and turkey you want).
- Receive your acceptance sooner. ED decisions usually come in December—no waiting until April like everyone else. It’s always thrilling to hear the excitement in my students’ voices when they get that early yes.
- Focus on scholarships. With admission secured, you can pour all your energy into finding ways to pay for school—and who doesn’t love free money?
- Keep up your grades. Just because you’re in doesn’t mean you can slack off. Colleges will rescind offers if your grades drop. Use this extra time to push your GPA even higher.
Can You Back Out of Early Decision?
Short answer: no. When you apply ED or ED II, you’re making a commitment to attend if accepted. These applications usually require signatures from you, your parent, and your school counselor, confirming everyone understands the terms.
That said, the agreement isn’t legally binding—colleges won’t sue you for tuition. But there can still be consequences if you don’t follow through.
As Christoph Guttentag, Duke University’s admissions dean, told US News-Education:
“A college obviously can’t force a student to enroll, but we expect students and families to act ethically and take seriously the commitment they’ve made in writing. Most of the time, families and financial aid offices work things out.”
If something does prevent you from attending (like a family death, job loss, or financial hardship), contact the school immediately to discuss options. Admissions officers understand life happens.
Are There Other Early Application Options?
If you’re ready to apply early but want to keep your choices open—especially if you need to compare financial aid offers—Early Action (EA) is a great alternative.
EA schools give you an early response (often by mid-December) without requiring you to commit. You can apply EA to multiple colleges at once.
Most EA deadlines are November 1st, though some fall in October. And since EA is non-binding, you’re free to decline even if accepted.
Other Factors That Affect Your Application
Timing isn’t everything—your GPA, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and (if submitted) test scores all play a role in your admission chances.
So, choosing when and where to apply can be tricky. But understanding your odds at each school can make the decision easier.
