Applying to college is a big deal: Figuring out where you want to go, what you want to study, who you want to be, and the list goes on. But what about those who are already dead set on the place they want to be? Their mind has somehow come to the conclusion that this college or university is the place for them. There are pros and cons to making the early decision (or ED) to a school.

In short, ED means if you get into the school, you have a legally binding agreement with the school that you will attend and will not go anywhere else. Intense right? Some believe that this idea solidifies their chances of getting into these schools. For example, schools like Tulane University have recorded that 70% of the students who get into the school are from the ED pool. Not only does it show the school the interest that they want to see, but it also demonstrates how important the university is to the student. On top of that, it also ensures that you can pay for the college or university in full tuition.

Senior Riya Kohli strongly considered deciding whether or not to ED to the University of Virginia. Although she decided to not ED, she considered this it for the increased confidence it provided to get into the school., “I have always been in love with the school but I am nervous that I might have a change of heart. It is a big family decision so we will just wait until the results come out,” Kohli said.

Not everyone is in love with this idea of early decision. For those who are not ready to decide on a college or university, they have another option called early action (EA). Early action is a non-binding process in which you can demonstrate an interest in a school by sending in your application by a certain deadline. Families and applicants find comfort in the idea of a non-binding application because there is more flexibility to hear from other schools. EA is more attractive because if applicants are not sure what school they want to go to but they have an interest in specific schools, they usually hear back from these schools at an earlier time than a regular decision (RD) does.

Senior Kyler Hamlin has decided to take advantage of the EA opportunity to apply to some of his schools. Hamlin said he “took advantage of the early action opportunity to multiple schools because it allows for me to still have choices and not make a final decision just yet.”