Moxie Matches: Private Colleges Adding Early Action

It’s that time of year: admissions offices are reviewing, tweaking, and sometimes making big changes for the upcoming application cycle.

Recently, two private colleges, Occidental (Oxy) and Washington University in St. Louis (WashU),  announced that they are both adding Early Action for Fall 2027 applicants.

That means students can now apply early, hear back early, and still keep their options open—no binding commitment required. For families and students weighing when and where to apply, this is a notable shift.

Here’s the rundown.

A Quick Admissions Refresher

In case your brain is swimming in acronyms:

• Early Decision (ED): Binding. If you get in, you’re committed to attend.
• Early Action (EA): Nonbinding. You apply early, get your decision early, but still have until May 1 to decide.

Most schools choose one or the other. Now, Oxy and WashU are offering both.

Why This Is Actually a Big Deal

Adding Early Action can dramatically increase application volume.

Students love it because:

• they get decisions earlier
• there’s no commitment
• it keeps options open

Colleges love it because:

• more students apply
• selectivity numbers improve
• they see who’s serious about the school

In other words, it’s a strategic move on both sides of the admissions desk.

What This Means at Occidental

Occidental is introducing Early Action for the first time beginning with applicants for Fall 2027 entry. The deadline will be November 1, and decisions are expected by mid-January.

Students can now choose among:

• Early Decision I (binding)
• Early Action (nonbinding)
• Early Decision II (binding)
• Regular Decision

For a smaller liberal arts college like Oxy, EA could significantly expand the applicant pool. It also gives students who like the school—but aren’t ready to commit ED—a way to show early interest.

Think of it as a softer early option.

What This Means at WashU

WashU is making a similar move: adding Early Action while keeping its existing Early Decision rounds.

The university already had:

• Early Decision I
• Early Decision II
• Regular Decision

Now there will also be:

• Early Action

Two other interesting admissions updates from WashU at the same time:

• They’ve stated that they will start considering demonstrated interest in the application review process.
• They’ve also simplified parts of the application, including reducing optional essays.

For a school with an acceptance rate hovering around roughly 12%, any admissions tweak tends to ripple through the entire application strategy conversation.

So… Why Add Early Action?

If you zoom out, it’s part of a bigger admissions trend.

Highly selective schools are increasingly trying to:

• shape their classes earlier
• manage yield more predictably
• attract more applications

Adding EA is a way to expand the early pool without requiring commitment.

From the student perspective, it feels flexible.

From the college perspective, it’s strategic enrollment management.

And… What Does This Mean for Students?

If Oxy or WashU is on your list, you now have one more option to consider.

You can apply early without making the ED commitment.

For some students, that’s the perfect middle ground: “I really like this school… but I’m not quite ready to commit.”

At Moxie College Counseling, we help students navigate the ever-changing college admissions landscape with confidence. From developing an application strategy to understanding admissions options like Early Action and Early Decision, we provide personalized guidance every step of the way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a strong college application plan.