Question Mark on College

Dear Mark,

I’m the parent of a high school senior, and we’re right in the thick of the college admissions process. The application deadlines are coming up fast, and I’m stressed about whether we should be applying Early Decision, Early Action, or just sticking with Regular Decision.

My son has a few schools he really likes, and one in particular that he’s very excited about. His high school counselor mentioned that applying early could boost his chances of getting in, but I’m nervous about making the wrong choice. We’re running out of time to decide, and I don’t want him to miss any opportunities.

Can you help me understand the pros and cons of these different early application strategies? We need to make a decision in the next few weeks, and I want to make sure we’re being strategic without adding more pressure to an already stressful time. I’m also worried about the financial side—we’ll need financial aid, and I don’t want to commit to something we can’t afford.

Any guidance you can provide would be a lifesaver!

Sincerely, Racing Against the Clock

Dear Racing Against the Clock,

Take a breath. I know it feels like the college admissions train is barreling down the tracks and you’re scrambling to jump on at the right moment. But here’s the thing, this decision doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it feels right now. Let’s break down these application strategies so you can make a choice that actually serves your son, not just checks a box.

Early Decision: The All-In Commitment

Think of Early Decision like proposing marriage on the third date. When it works, it’s beautiful. When it doesn’t? Well, you’re stuck.

Here’s the deal with ED: It’s binding. If your son gets in, he’s going, no comparing financial aid packages, no weighing other options, no changing his mind. The pros? His acceptance odds do get a bump at many schools (sometimes significantly), and he’ll know his fate by mid-December, which means less stress for the rest of senior year.

However, and this is a significant caveat, you mentioned a concern for financial aid. That’s where ED gets tricky. Yes, schools will still give you a financial aid package, and yes, you can technically back out if it’s truly unaffordable. But “unaffordable” is subjective, and you won’t have other offers to compare against. You’re negotiating from a position of “this is what we’ve got” rather than “we have three better offers.”

My take? Only go ED if your son is absolutely, positively, wake-up-thinking-about-it certain about this school AND you’ve run the net price calculators and know roughly what to expect financially. If there’s any hesitation about the school or the money, keep reading.

Early Action: The Best of Both Worlds?

Early Action is like ED’s chill cousin. You apply early (usually November 1, but October 15 for schools like UGA and Georgia Tech for Georgia residents), you hear back early (typically December), but you’re not locked in. You can compare financial aid offers. You can change your mind. You have until May 1 to decide, just like Regular Decision applicants.

The pros are pretty sweet: you demonstrate interest without the commitment, you often get a slight admissions boost (though not as big as ED), and you gain peace of mind earlier. Some schools even give EA admits first dibs on housing or honors programs.

The catch? Not all schools offer it, and some have “Restrictive Early Action” or “Single-Choice Early Action,” which limits where else you can apply early. Read the fine print carefully.

My take? If your son’s top-choice school offers non-restrictive EA, this is often your sweet spot. You’re showing enthusiasm, potentially boosting his chances, but keeping your options open. That’s strategic without being risky.

Regular Decision: Playing the Long Game

Let’s be real, Regular Decision gets a bad rap, like it’s the “I didn’t have my act together” option. But here’s what nobody tells you: For many students, especially those who need to compare financial aid or aren’t sure about their top choice, RD is actually the smartest move.

You get more time to polish applications, potentially submit better test scores or fall semester grades, and, most importantly, you can compare every single financial aid offer side by side. That’s powerful leverage.

The downside? Lower acceptance rates at some schools mean decisions don’t come until March or April, and your son will watch his friends receive early acceptances while he’s still waiting. That psychological piece is real, but it doesn’t change the outcome.

So, What Should You Do?

Let’s get practical. First things first, have the money conversation. I know it’s not the fun part of college planning, but run those net price calculators for his top schools. If you absolutely need to compare financial aid packages to make this work, Early Decision is off the table. No exceptions.

Next, gauge your son’s certainty level. Sit down with him, maybe over pizza or during a car ride when the pressure’s off, and ask him straight up: “On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you that this school is THE school?” If he hesitates, if he’s not at a solid 9 or 10, don’t do ED. Early Action or Regular Decision gives him the breathing room he needs to figure this out.

And here’s something most parents don’t think about: check each school’s specific policies because they vary wildly. Some schools fill nearly half their incoming class through early rounds, while others show no real preference. A quick search of the school’s admissions website will tell you what you need to know.

But beyond the logistics, consider the stress factor. Some kids thrive with the “apply early, know early” approach; it lights a fire under them, and the December decision gives them their senior year back. Other kids need time to perfect their applications, to let their fall semester grades shine, to really think things through. You know your son better than any admissions officer ever will. Trust that instinct.

And finally, and this might be the most important thing I tell you, don’t let FOMO drive this decision. Just because everyone else in the parent Facebook group is talking about early applications doesn’t mean your son should follow suit. This is about finding the right fit for him, not keeping up with the college admissions Joneses. The right choice is the one that serves your family, your finances, and your son’s future, not the one that sounds impressive at the holiday party.

The Bottom Line

If your son has a clear first choice, you’re comfortable with the potential financial aid offer, and he’s ready to commit, EA is usually your best bet (or ED if you’re really certain and the money works). If he needs to compare options or isn’t 100% sure, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Regular Decision. In fact, it might be the smartest move you make.

The good news? There’s no single “right” answer here, just the right answer for your family. Trust your gut, trust your son’s instincts, and remember: Students get into great schools through all three pathways. What matters most isn’t when he applies, but that he applies to schools where he’ll actually thrive.

You’ve got this. And so does he.

Warmly,

Mark