Early vs. regular applications
ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PLANS
These days, at many colleges, there isn't just one deadline by which you have to submit all of your application materials. On the one hand, it means that students have a number of options to select the plan that makes the most sense for them, while on the other, the proliferation of options can be confusing to the uninitiated. The resources below are meant to demystify what all these various options mean and help you figure out which one is best for your situation.
NON-RESTRICTIVE
The following decisions plans are non-restrictive, meaning that a student's ability to apply to other schools is not limited, and a student is not obligated to attend a college if admitted. Students generally have until May 1st to make their decision.
REGULAR DECISION
Students submit an application by a defined deadline and receive a decision within a clearly defined period of time. Most regular decision deadlines fall in either January or February.
ROLLING ADMISSION
Colleges will review applications as students submit them and will continue to issue decisions throughout the admissions cycle, until a class is full. At schools that practice rolling admission, it is generally best practice to submit applications earlier where possible.
EARLY ACTION
Students submit an application by a defined deadline that falls well in advance of--usually several months--their Regular Decision deadline. Most Early Action deadlines fall in November, though some are in October or December. Students will receive their admissions decision far in advance of the school's Regular Decision notification date. If admitted under an Early Action plan, a student is not obligated to attend.
RESTRICTIVE
Application plans can be restricted both in terms of a student's ability to apply to other schools and in terms of their ability to refuse an offer of admission. The differences are explained below.
EARLY DECISION
Students make a commitment to a school that they will enroll if admitted and withdraw their applications from any other colleges to which they may have applied. The student, college counselor, and parent or guardian all sign an agreement acknowledging the student's obligation to attend if offered admission. (Please note that students may be released from Early Decision agreements only if they are unable to afford attending. If you are planning to apply to a college under Early Decision, it is a good idea to use the Net Price Calculator to determine your expected cost of attendance.)
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION
Students apply to and receive a decision from a top-choice college early. Under REA, students may be obligated not to apply to other colleges Early Decision, Early Action, or Restrictive Early Action. If offered admission, a student is not required to respond until (typically) May 1st.
*Please note that these deadlines are subject to change, especially in current circumstances. Always check the college’s website for the most up-to-date information.