By AdmissionsConsultants Inc.

It's hard to think of any aspect of college admissions that is more confusing than that of early admissions policies. Although early admissions programs are prevalent (approximately two out of three of the country's top universities and colleges offer some kind of early admissions program), the benefits and obligations involved vary from one school to another. Adding to the confusion is the fact that different schools use similar language to mean completely different things. Consequently, it is more important than ever for college applicants to make sure that they understand early admissions and early decisions options, in order to make informed decisions about whether or not it is in their interest to use them.

Early Decision vs. Early Action

Early admissions programs can be divided into two categories: early decision and early action.

Both programs involve an earlier application deadline than the normal admissions process does, and (as their names imply) earlier notification of admissions decisions. A high school student who already knows that she has been accepted to her top choice college can take chances she might not otherwise—for example, she might take a challenging college-level course that she would pass on if she were worried that her spring grades might affect her college applications. Another advantage, of course, is that she and her family have more time to plan for her move to college, and to arrange financial aid a...

Click here to read the rest of this article from College Toolkit