Early action, like early decision, was used to get into college early. It was not binding on the student, but it came in two varieties: regular, which allowed one to as many colleges as one liked under early action, so long as one did not apply early decision at more than one college, and single-choice early action, while not binding, allowed one to apply at only one university early.
Julie Pawluck and Hania got into audiology programs in single-choice early action. (Star Trek: The Stoneship Files: "Express Delivery")