Understanding Early Action vs. Early Decision and Choosing a College Major

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Understanding Early Action vs. Early Decision and Choosing a College Major

Bill Balatsos • Mar 15, 2022

Applying to college means there are a lot of decisions for a student to make, and often those decisions need to be completed within a short period of time. The college application process can be tricky, and applications can contain some new vocabulary that you might not be familiar with. It is essential to take some time to ensure you understand the new terminology so that you and your student are completely comfortable when making this important decision. Two commonly confused and interchanged phrases are early action and early decision- however, they mean entirely different things, and a mix-up in them could be a critical mistake.

Early Action vs. Early Decision

Early Action means a student can apply early to a college, and they would be notified of their acceptance or rejection by the college well ahead of regular application season. It could be a good idea for students to apply early action to a few of their most desired schools to get an early idea of their potential options. This would allow students to have ample time to make a decision or still leave them enough time to apply to more schools if needed during the regular application season.

Early Decision is where a student who is ready to commit to their first-choice college will be locked into enrolling there if admitted. The commitment part is critical here for students to understand- early decision applications are a binding agreement, and a student must attend the institution if accepted. This means students can only apply to one school as an early decision school, so they need to be 100% sure that they have considered all factors before applying to a school via early decision. While it can be beneficial and exciting to be locked into your top-choice school, one major con to consider when applying via early decision is the inability to compare financial aid awards across multiple colleges.

Choosing Your College Major

While the idea of choosing a college major may not be as confusing, it cannot be ignored that selecting a major can be a difficult process. Your major will be the subject area you study while in college and ultimately will lead you to your potential job and career field upon graduation. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing your major!

1. Consider your passions-

Are there subject areas or social issues you are passionate about? Can you see yourself in a career field related to these after college? Choosing something related to your passion can help motivate and energize you when it comes to selecting a major.

2. Consider your academic talents-

Are there academic areas you excelled in or enjoyed while in high school? These can help you pinpoint potential majors you could excel in at college and are worth exploring.

3. Consider future careers and earning potential-

Take a moment to consider what type of lifestyle you want to live. Is the earning potential for your college major going to support that lifestyle? Additionally, think about the future job market. What industries are quickly advancing? Where are jobs needed? Having these questions in mind can help you make an informed decision that will lead you to success.

4. Talk to others-

Talk to current college students enrolled in the major you are considering to get an idea for the course load. What do they like about it? What don’t they like? If you’re able to, talk to faculty members who teach in the program you are interested in to learn specific details. Students should try to learn as much as possible about their potential major so that they can feel more confident in their decision.

There is certainly a lot to learn and consider when applying to colleges- considering to apply early action or early decision and choosing a major are just the tip of the iceberg. If you or your student have questions about the process, feel free to reach out, and we can try to connect you with someone who can give you more information!

The Club Z! Tutoring Glenbrook Difference

Club Z! Tutoring of Glenbrook specializes in providing individualized, in-home, and virtual tutoring for students K-12 in Northbrook and Glenview. We also work with students to complete the college application process. If you want your child to work on developing skills that will translate to improved grades and self-esteem, contact us today at: bbalatsos@clubztutoring.com. You can also reach us at 847-440-3440 and by visiting clubztutoringglenbrook.com.

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