The types of application plans you encounter during the college admissions process are explained below. Be sure to read each college's policies carefully and consult with your school counselor if you have any questions about the different plans.
Many colleges establish an application deadline by which all applications must be received, postmarked, or sent electronically, such as January 1, January 15, or February 1, etc. All students are then notified of the colleges' decisions at a uniform response date, typically on or before April 1. Regular decision applicants are either accepted, denied, or wait listed (the college may initially delay offering or denying admission, but instead extend the possibility of admission in the future. Colleges offer admission to waitlist candidates if insufficient numbers of regularly admitted candidates accept their offers of admission).
This option permits you to apply to a college or university and receive a decision early in your senior year, well in advance of the common Spring response dates. Though you will hear early regarding your admission, you are not committed to attend, and you may apply to other colleges. If you are applying for financial aid, you will follow the financial aid application deadline set by the college or university. You are not required to make a commitment before May 1, but you are encouraged to do so as soon as your final choice is made. Some schools are now designating themselves as "single choice" or "restricted" early action, meaning your application is still non-binding, but you can't apply anywhere else early. Under early action programs, applicants are accepted denied, or deferred (where they will be re-evaluated with the regular admission pool).
This is another option that allows you to apply to a college or university early, commonly by November 1. This plan requires you to commit to that college or university at the time of application - if admitted, you MUST enroll. You should apply under an Early Decision plan only if you know that you can make a well reasoned, first choice decision. Upon admission , the school will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1. You may apply to other colleges, but are permitted to have only one Early Decision application pending at any given time. The school will respond to your request for financial aid near the time admission is offered. If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Applicants may be accepted, denied, or deferred (where they will be re-evaluated with the regular admission pool).
Colleges or universities with this application option review applications as they are received and notify students of decisions as soon as they are made (on a "rolling" basis).
This is an admission policy whereby the college admits all applicants.
This is the date by which your application - whether it is for college admission, student housing, or financial aid - must be received to be given the strongest consideration.