Application Information

Decision Plans

As you determine which schools you will apply to, you will need to consider how you will apply. Each school offers one or more decision plans. Early admission deadlines typically range from October - December, and Regular or Rolling deadlines from November to February.


Note that a student who applies under one of the “early” options described below will generally receive one of the following three responses: (1) admission; (2) denial; or (3) deferral. A deferral will typically involve the application being reconsidered later in the application cycle, along with the regular decision applications.


Early Decision (ED)

Under the Early Decision option, a student applies by a stated deadline under a binding agreement to attend if admitted. Students may apply to only one school during Early Decision in the Fall. At the same time, the student should be sending and/or preparing additional applications, in case they are not admitted to their ED school. If admitted to the ED school, the student must withdraw all other college applications. Students who are deferred from ED are released from the binding agreement, and can move forward with other applications (regular, rolling, Early Action or Early Decision II application types). For some schools, students may improve their chances of admission by applying Early Decision, but it is important to remember that it comes with a very big commitment early in the process.


Early Decision (Binding) may be best for students who:

  • Have visited (preferably multiple times);

  • Know they want to attend only that school;

  • Can reasonably afford to pay for that school (should complete the net price calculators and other school financial aid estimators first);

  • Plan to apply to a competitive college and are qualified, but may not be highly competitive; and/or

  • Plan to apply to a very selective school and are highly qualified


Early Action (EA)

Early Action is a non-binding admission option that enables students who complete their applications early in the senior year to receive a response early in the process. Decisions for Early Action schools are typically sent in December and January.


Early Action (EA) may be best for students who:

  • Have a strong academic record through junior year;

  • Have completed all testing requirements prior to August or October of the senior year;

  • Are highly organized and have all paperwork completed early;

  • Will continue strong academic performance through senior year; and

  • Are prepared to put their best work together for an application early in the Senior year.


Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single Choice Early Action

Both of these early application types are uncommon, but do exist at some popular schools for HHS students. Specific restrictions and guidelines vary by college. Generally, students are restricted by the type of other early application they may put out, in addition to the REA/SCEA school. For example, a private school may dictate that a student can apply to other public schools under their Early Action plan, but may not apply to other private schools under their Early Action Plans. Read carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re unsure, ask your school counselor or the College & Career Counselor for guidance.


Expect these schools to have some type of restrictive policy: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Georgetown, Notre Dame.


Regular Decision

Students who apply under the regular decision option apply by a stated deadline, and receive a decision during a designated time frame. Some schools release application decisions one-by-one, some in groups, and some all at once. Be aware that some schools do not notify their regular decision applicants until late March of the senior year.


Rolling Decision

Rolling decision schools consider applications on an ongoing basis, and release decisions on an ongoing basis. It is important not to wait until late in the year to apply to rolling decision schools, as spots in individual schools or in certain programs may fill early.


Who Sends What?

Student submits:

  • application

  • essay(s)

  • portfolios

  • self-reported grades/transcripts (required by some schools instead of an official transcript)

  • SAT/ACT scores (if submitting at all. Some schools allow self-report on the application, other times they must be sent officially from the testing agency)

  • AP scores (self-report on application)

  • outside letter of recommendation, if applicable (request through Common App)

  • financial aid applications (FAFSA, CSS profile, NJ Alternative Aid App) and any requested supporting documents

  • scholarship applications

School submits:

  • official transcript

  • Any required school report forms

  • counselor letter of recommendation, if requested and accepted

  • teacher letters of recommendation, if requested and accepted