Senior Information

College Admissions

College admissions plans are structured plans for how colleges are going to admit your class. Depending on how selective the college is and how it makes admission decisions, your work and the application process will need to shift to meet the deadline. CLICK HERE for a list of links to different college admisisons sites.

Regular Decision

An application process in which you apply by a specific date and then receive an admission decision within a stated period of time. This plan is usually a later plan than some of the other plans a school may offer.

This is the most common option among colleges and universities. The majority of regular admission deadlines occur between December 1 and March 15. Most students find out if they are accepted in March or April.

Typical Application Deadline: January/February

Typical Deadline to Accept Admission Offer: May

Rolling Admission

A decision plan that lets students submit an application at any time throughout the year. Colleges will review applications as they receive them, and make admission decisions throughout the year. Approximately 3-8 weeks after a student applies, the student should receive a decision.

This plan is often used by less selective colleges. Colleges with rolling admission have final application deadlines. Complete your college application early in the admission season, since later applicants may be up against fewer open spaces than earlier applicants. This is particularly true at very popular or more selective state institutions.

Typical Application Deadline: May (or until freshman class slots are filled)

Typical Deadline to Accept Admission Offer: May (or until freshman class slots are filled)

Early Action (EA) / Priority Admission

An application process to apply and receive a decision earlier than the Regular Decision notification date. Unlike Early Decision (ED), EA is “non-binding” and you have no obligation to enroll and will have until May 1 to consider the offer and confirm your enrollment.

Used by some Ivy League and other selective institutions, early action plans require you apply to the college or university early, usually between late October and late November of your senior year of high school. As an early action candidate, you will most likely be notified of your acceptance, denial, or deferment by mid-December.

Typical Application Deadline: November

Typical Deadline to Accept Admission Offer: May

Early Decision Admission

A “binding” application process by which you commit to enrolling in a certain college if you’re admitted. You can apply to other colleges, but only apply ED to one college.

If you decide to apply ED, you must abide by the deadline, which is usually at least six weeks earlier than the regular deadline. The majority of ED deadlines occur between mid-October and mid-November. Students are then notified of the institutions’ decisions by mid-to-late December. With admission under this plan, if you get in, you must accept the offer at once. You are bound to that school and will need to withdraw all other college applications. Only use this option if you are 100% sure you want to go to that school.

Typical Application Deadline: November

Typical Deadline to Accept Admission Offer: N/A (offer is considered automatically accepted)

Restrictive Early Action (REA) Admission

Similar to Early Action, applying for REA requires that you submit your application earlier than Regular Decision (RD). As a result, you will receive your admission decision earlier than you would receive a RD decision. Additionally colleges place certain restrictions on your applications to other early application processes.

Typical Application Deadline: November

Typical Deadline to Accept Admission Offer: May

College Application Platforms

Apply Texas

Apply Texas is a centralized web portal for prospective students from Texas and other states to apply for admission to Texas higher education institutions. The purpose of hte program is to allow students to complete one application and submit it to multiple institutions of higer education

The Common App

The Common App offers students the ability to complete just one application for multiple colleges. Students are then able to send this one application to any college that is a Common App member. Currently, there are nearly 900 member colleges.

The Common App consists of several components: the college essay, recommendation letters, an extracurricular activities list, optional supplemental questions, standardized test scores, and the high school transcript. It is an online application that offers students the capability to complete and edit their application before submitting it to multiple member colleges. The Common App now has a “rollover” feature that allows students to open an account anytime during high school.

FAQs

Should I delay applying to colleges if my SAT/ACT is below their published ranges?

In general, we advise to still apply early and to follow up with updated test scores. The admission scores and grades that colleges show on their websites are averages or ranges—not cutoffs. There are students at every college who scored lower (and higher) than the numbers shown. Remember that colleges consider many factors to get a more complete picture of you.

Many schools remain test optional for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, meaning they will not use SAT/ACT scores as an admissions factor. Check with the individual schools to see their admissions policies.

Should I delay applying to colleges if my GPA is below their published ranges

In general, we advise students to still apply early and to follow up with the school with your 7th semester grades. The admission scores and grades that colleges show on their websites are averages or ranges—not cutoffs. There are students at every college who scored lower (and higher) than the numbers shown. Remember that colleges consider many factors to get a more complete picture of you.

Do my senior year grades matter

YES, YES, YES! Your senior year schedule is included on your transcript when you apply to colleges. Some schools may request an updated transcript that includes your 1st semester grades (aka 7th semester grades or Mid-Year Report). Plus, you will need to submit a final transcript to the college you plan to enroll. Therefore, it is important that your senior year grades are consistent with your previous academic performance. If not...the college could rescind your admission!

What are the benefits of applying early?

For a student who has a definite first-choice school, applying early has many benefits besides possibly increasing their chance of getting in. Applying early:

- Reduces stress by cutting the time a student spends waiting for a decision
- Saves students the time and expense of submitting multiple applications
- Gives students more time, once accepted, to look for housing and otherwise prepare for college
- If student is not accepted, having this information gives that student time to reassess options and apply elsewhere

Can I apply Early Decision to two schools?

Since ED is a binding contract, students cannot enter into two ED agreements at the same time.

Does applying Early Decision increase my chance of acceptance?

Many students believe applying early means competing with fewer applicants and increasing their chances for acceptance. This is not always true. Schools vary in the proportion of the class admitted early and in the percentage of early applicants they admit.

Higher admission rates for ED applicants may correlate to stronger profiles among candidates choosing ED. Students should ask the admissions office whether their institution's admissions standards differ between ED and regular applicants, and then assess whether applying early makes sense given their own profile.

When do I have to decide?

National College Decision Day is May 1st, so you have until then to make your decision and submit your deposit to the college you plan to enroll (the only exception is with Early Decision). This allows you the time to compare financial aid offers and make an informed decision. After May 1st, your spot may not be guaranteed.

How do I request college applicaiton fee waivers?

College application fee waivers are available to students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. Because Madison is enrolled in the Community Eligibility Progam all students recieve free breakfast and lunch, in order to be identified as qualifying for free/reduced lunch Madison students must complete the Socioeconomic Information Form that was sent out at the beginning of the year. Students who qualify follow these steps to request:

- Common App fee waivers - Complete the “Common App Waiver” section in your Common App account (under Profile in the “Common App” tab). Then, notify your alpha-split guidance counselor to let them know you requested verification.
- NACAC fee waivers - Contact the campus CCMR Mrs. Griffith to see if you qualify for a NACAC college application fee waiver
- College specific fee waivers - Some institutions have their own forms/requirements for granting an application fee waiver. Students should contact the institutions directly to find out what is needed.

How do I send my transcript?

All NEISD students must request official transcripts for admissions, scholarships, verification online through the NEISD Student Records Request. Transcript requests take 2-3 days to process. Requests made on non-school days (weekends, holidays) will not be processed until school is back in session. Students under the age of 18 will be required to submit a Parent Authorization form along with their request.

CLICK HERE for a step by step video on submitting a transcript request

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