Editing Early decision (section)

== Alternatives ==
One alternative to early decision is [[early action]] (EA). Some institutions offer both early decision or early action, while others only offer one. Early action is non-binding, so a student admitted to a school early action could choose not to enroll in that school. Furthermore, ED programs require applicants to file only one ED application, while, depending on the institution, EA programs may be restrictive or non-restrictive and allow candidates to apply to more than one institution.<ref>[https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/the-facts-about-applying-early-is-it-right-for-you The Facts About Applying Early: Is It Right For You?]</ref> 

Many colleges now offer a second early decision plan: '''early decision II''' ('''ED II'''). The application typically due in late December to early January and decision in mid-February.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Kristen |title=Early Decision II Colleges: The Complete List. Forbes, Dec 13, 2018 |website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2018/12/13/early-decision-ii-colleges-the-complete-list/#110554fb4acf |access-date=Aug 29, 2019}}</ref> Although the application deadline of early January is the same as for regular decision, the early decision II application is a binding commitment, with the benefits and drawbacks to the applicant and the college being similar to early decision I in most respects. The early decision II timeline is designed to allow students to apply to a new "first choice" school after they find out in mid- to late December they have been unsuccessful in their early decision or early action application to their original first choice, or to allow students that did not apply early decision I to apply under an early decision plan. It is intended as another chance for applicants to show commitment, and another tool for the school to protect its [[Yield (college admissions)|admission yield]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Hoover |first1=Eric |date=26 October 2015 |title=E.D. II: The Not-So-Early Decision |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/education/edlife/ed-ii-the-not-so-early-decision.html |access-date=Sep 20, 2019}}</ref>