For seniors, October is crunch time. With Early Action deadlines just ahead, it’s natural for parents to wonder: Is Early Action, Regular Decision, or even both the right path for my student?
Our latest blog offered the big picture and this newsletter focuses on the practical details you need to guide your student confidently through the decision.
Early Action: The Early Bird Advantage
Parents often worry that applying Early Action might “lock” their student into a school too soon. The reality is the opposite: it gives their student options earlier, but still leaves plenty of time to weigh financial aid packages, compare costs, and make a well-informed choice.
Early Action gives students the opportunity to apply by November 1 or 15 and receive decisions as early as December. Because it’s non-binding, an acceptance doesn’t require an immediate commitment. Unlike Early Decision (which is binding), Early Action lets students wait until the national decision deadline, usually May 1, to choose. This means your student can celebrate an early acceptance while still having time to compare financial aid offers and make the best final choice.
Why Parents Appreciate It:
- Brings peace of mind as many families know where they stand before the holidays
- Leaves time in the spring to review and compare financial aid packages
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Applications need to come together quickly, i.e., essays, recommendations, and test scores should be ready early
- Students who need more time to improve grades or activities may feel the pace is a little rushed
Red Kite Pro Tip: Early Action gives your student early good news without taking away the ability to shop around for the best financial deal.
Early Decision: For the Student With a Clear #1 Choice
Parents sometimes worry that Early Decision feels like too big of a commitment too soon. The truth is, it can be the right path for students who have a clear first-choice college and feel confident about making that commitment. While it does require families to be sure of both the school and the financial side, Early Decision can provide clarity and relief early in the senior year.
Early Decision allows students to apply by November 1 (or January for ED II) and receive a decision by December (or February for ED II). Because it’s binding, an acceptance means your student must commit to that college and withdraw all other applications. This can be a wonderful option for students who know exactly where they want to be and are ready to take that step.
Why Parents Appreciate It:
- Demonstrates strong interest, which can improve chances of admission at selective schools
- Provides early certainty—families know by December where their student will attend
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Financial aid packages cannot be compared across multiple schools, you must accept the offer if admitted
- Deadlines are early, so essays, test scores, and recommendations need to be ready quickly
Red Kite Pro Tip: Only consider Early Decision if your student has a true first-choice school and you’re confident it will be financially affordable.
Regular Decision: The Traditional Path
Parents sometimes worry that Regular Decision means falling behind, but in reality, it’s the most common path for many students. With deadlines in January or February and results released in March or April, this option gives students extra time to strengthen their applications and explore more choices. For families who want flexibility and breathing room, Regular Decision can be a smart fit.
Regular Decision allows seniors to use the fall semester to improve grades, refine essays, gather recommendations, and finalize test scores. While the wait for results can feel long, this timeline often helps students present the strongest version of themselves when applying.
Why Parents Appreciate It:
- Gives students more time to polish essays, secure letters of recommendation, and update grades or test scores
- Provides flexibility to apply to more schools before making a choice
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The longer wait for results can add to stress or uncertainty in the spring
- Some schools award merit aid earlier, so waiting could mean missing out on certain opportunities
Red Kite Pro Tip: Use the waiting period to compare net price calculators at different colleges so you’re ready to review offers when they arrive.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision comes down to your student’s readiness, priorities, and your family’s financial comfort. There’s no single “right” path, just the one that fits your student best. Regardless of which path your student takes, there’s still plenty of time to apply for scholarships and explore financial aid opportunities with Red Kite.
