Early Action: How is it different from ED?

<ul style="list-style-type: disc"><li>ED means “Binding”. It means you are fully committed to the school and if accepted, you have to commit to attend and withdraw all other applications. Make sure you choose your ED school wisely and discuss whether it is truly your dream school and you have 100 percent intention of attending if accepted. You cannot say ‘nevermind’ and not attend the ED school as it will impair the relationship between your highschool, counselor, and the university.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">Deadline for ED schools is normally November 1st. This means colleges will receive the first and foremost round of applicants who are dedicated to the school. Do not wait until the last minute to submit the application, as many students from worldwide are probably going to be using the Common Application.</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">✉️ Letter of Recommendation: Most ED schools will require up to two (2) recommenders who will speak for your performance inside and outside of class. We normally suggest receiving recommendation letter from someone who has seen you for more than 2 semesters and has seen you grow, and from a class that you actually performed well in. Even if you are besties with your chemistry teacher but you received a C in that class, there are limitations to what the teacher can write about you so think twice before asking recommendation letter. Also, try to get recommendation letter from one of the core subject classes, if possible. (English, Math, Science, History).
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">✏️ Personal Statement: This is normally the main Common Application 650 word essay. This will be the first piece of writing that the admissions team will be reading about you. We will have a separate post about how to write a personal statement. Even if you’re in a hurry, look for spelling and grammar errors and the paragraphs are organized nicely. Click ‘preview’ to see how the essay will be seen.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">📝 Supplemental Essay: Most ED schools will require a supplemental essay to see if you know them properly and to see whether you’re the right ‘fit’. Do your research thoroughly, and make sure it’s more than repeating your enthusiasm for how much you want to attend the school. Look into the department, different opportunities within campus, its unique culture and philosophy, and student life outside of classrooms as well.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">🧑🏻 Parent / Guardian Approval: Remember, ED means you have to commit once you’re accepted. That means, your parents have to ‘approve’ through the Common App recognizing that they are aware of the financial commitment that they will need to make upon acceptance. Similar to sending invitation to recommenders, you input your parent/guardian’s name and email address. They will receive ‘approve ED’ email from their end and they will need to electronically approve.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">🏫 Counselor Recommendation and Approval : You should have met your counselor at least once or twice, to confirm your ED school. Remember that counselors are humans too and they are prone to mistakes. It is your responsibility to check that counselor has submitted their recommendation and any other documents that need to be officially sent from the school’s end.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">💰 Form of Payment: Last but not least, have your form of payment ready. We have experienced some hiccups at the very last payment page. Make sure that you input the address correctly for the card - if unsure, input payment information with your parents/guardian.

Early Decision Checklist for college application round 

Early Decision Checklist 

<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 13.8px;" data-font-size=""><img src="https://zvwwa4feliopbgf8.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/testModuleImage/RESIZED%20ver.%20New%20insta-tTpei0PyrXWq6ErH5OU1KfEgn725Tn.png" alt="" width="480" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="600"><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 13.8px;" data-font-size=""> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">Guide to Waitlists and Deferrals
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">If you are a senior who got waitlisted or deferred from schools, do not be discouraged! It means that the admission office did not make a final decision regarding your application. There is still a chance of acceptance. It just depends on many factors, such as whether the accepted students in the first round decide to enroll in the school or withdraw their offer. These are some of the things to keep in mind.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">🕰️ Response Timeline : 1 to 2 weeks
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">Some schools require applicant’s response through school portal. It’s a lot better when the school offers a system where you can directly express your interest regarding your application. For example, you can 1) Continue to remainon the waiting list 2) Be off the waiting list and withdraw your application or 3) For some EA/ED schools, choose to move your application to be considered in the Early Decision 2 (ED2) pool. It is highly recommended to submit the response within 1 to 2 weeks to express your strong intent to attend the school.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">📤 Send updated transcript &amp; standardized test scores
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">If you submitted your Early Decision (ED) or Early Action(EA) application in early November and received the waitlisted/deferred result in mid/late December, update the schools with your Senior Year 1st Semester grades. Ask your counselor if he/she can send an updated transcript to the colleges. If there is a place in the portal for you to directly upload, then update your GPA. It’s helpful for the admissions office to know that you have improved your GPA even in your senior year. It’s providing a new data point for them to consider. Also, if your standardized test scores have improved after you have submitted your initial application, send the latest scores to the colleges. We know that a lot of schools have gone test-optional, but providing them with a new data about yourself can be helpful.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">✍🏻 Write Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">Appeal letter, or a letter of continued interest (LOCI) is an email you send to an admission office, typically after you've been deferred or placed on their waitlist. The student can highlight his/her recent accomplishments, and updates on GPAs or standardized testing. There will be a separate post with a Letter of Continued Interest template with different scenarios that you can customize.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">✍🏻 Write the Additional Essay (If asked by schools!)
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">Some schools ask applicants for an additional essay to be submitted. This is one of the ways that schools can filter those who are truly interested who wishes to be enrolled. Typically, the essay prompt will ask about how you will contribute to the school community, and what you want to achieve once you get into the program/school. Make sure that you research the school thoroughly and be very school-specific and program-specific! It’s a great way to appeal to the colleges that you will be a great fit to the school.
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">🏆 Update Notable Achievements
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-font-size="">If you received any new awards, won competitions, wrote a new research paper (and more), update your new achievements to the school! Make sure that the awards or achievements are something new that did not happen/occur yet at the point of the application, and that it’s a new information for the schools to consider.

Waitlist vs deferrals, what to do when waitlisted, action items for deferrals

Early Action: How is it different from ED?

Early Action: How is it different from ED?

Guide to waitlists and deferrals

Early Decision Checklist