Myth: Does Applying Early Really Increase Your Chances of Getting Into College? (Spoiler: It Often Does)

Every fall, rumors swirl in high school hallways and online forums: “Don’t bother with Early Action or Early Decision. It doesn’t make a difference. Best to focus on your first-term coursework and grades.” 

The idea that applying early doesn’t meaningfully boost your chances of admission is one of the most persistent myths in the college admissions process. And while admissions officers may claim early applicants aren’t given special preference, the data tells a more nuanced story.

Let’s break it down.

What Are the Numbers on Early Decision vs. Regular Decision?

While colleges are quick to say that their review process is “holistic” and “equally rigorous” in every round (which is true), admit rates for Early Decision and Early Action are often higher than Regular Decision.

Take these 2023-2024 stats:

• Dartmouth:
  
  • Early Decision (ED) Acceptance Rate: Approximately 17.07%, with 606 students admitted from 3,550 applicants.
  • Regular Decision (RD) Acceptance Rate: Approximately 3.8%.
  • Overall Acceptance Rate: 5.3%, with 1,685 students admitted from 31,657 applicants.
• Vanderbilt:
  
  • Early Decision (ED) Acceptance Rate: 15.2%, with 889 students admitted from 5,835 applicants.
  • Regular Decision (RD) Acceptance Rate: 3.7%, with 1,512 students admitted from 41,336 applicants.
  • Overall Acceptance Rate: 5.1%.
• Notre Dame:
  
  • Restrictive Early Action (REA) Acceptance Rate: 15%, with 1,724 students admitted from 11,498 applicants.
  • Regular Decision (RD) Acceptance Rate: 11.1%, with 1,600 students admitted from 14,882 applicants.
  • Overall Acceptance Rate: 11.1%, with 3,324 students admitted from 29,943 applicants.

These differences are statistically significant across the board, meaning that colleges really do take a higher percentage of early applicants based on the data. But why might that be? 

What is Yield and Why Does it Matter?

In many cases, applying Early Decision is a binding commitment (a good example is the University of Pennsylvania). This means that colleges know that if they admit you, you’ll enroll, which helps with yield—a key metric colleges that colleges depend upon to stay high in the rankings. Even non-binding Early Action applications (like Yale or Princeton, for instance) demonstrate strategic interest and allow admissions offices to manage class composition earlier. Applying early therefore demonstrates your interest and allows colleges to manage their yield statistics, meaning a win-win for all parties involved! 

Is the Early Applicant Pool Smaller—and Less Competitive?

Yes and no. The pool is smaller and often filled with stronger candidates, but there’s less volume to fight against. Your application might get more thoughtful attention. Fewer students means more thoughtful review and less volume for your application to compete with. If your application is ready by November and your grades and scores are in good shape, early can be a smart move.

One piece of advice we often give students at AtomicMind, your choice of which school to apply early to might also depend on the competition coming from your same high school. Since these schools are unlikely to accept multiple applicants from a single school (whether in early or regular admissions), try to avoid applying early to the same school as your classmates. This will increase your chances of standing out. 

Should Top Students Apply Early?

Strong applicants often frontload their top-choice schools into the early round. If you’re well-prepared and a good fit, applying early gives you the chance to stand out before the regular crush of applicants.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Apply Early: 

While applying early generally offers an edge, it’s not always the golden ticket. In many cases, applying early might not give you the competitive advantage you might expect, despite the statistical evidence presented above. 

Here are three reasons why applying early might not be the best strategy for you: If your application isn’t ready, don’t rush it just to meet the deadline. A mediocre application won’t benefit from the competitive advantage that early applications usually offer.

1. If your application isn’t ready, don’t rush it just to meet the deadline. A mediocre application won’t benefit from the competitive advantage that early applications usually offer.
2. If your junior-year grades weren’t your best, consider waiting until fall semester senior-year grades are available. You can use the first half of your senior year to bring your GPA up and make yourself more competitive in regular admissions. 
3. If you need to compare financial aid packages, a binding Early Decision might not be the right fit. Be sure to check how each school’s financial aid works before locking yourself in, since this could have irrevocable consequences for yours and your family’s finances. 

Final Verdict: Is Early Action or Early Decision Worth It?

Applying early isn’t some sort of magical fix, but when used wisely, it can be a powerful part of your strategy. Just make sure you’re ready, you’re informed, and you’ve chosen your early school for the right reasons—not just the rumored “boost.”

Stay tuned for the next installment of Admissions Unmasked, where we take on the myth of the “well-rounded” applicant.

Got questions about your Early Action or Early Decision plan? At AtomicMind, our expert advisors can help you create a smart, personalized strategy—early or otherwise.

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