Rolling admission is a college admissions process where schools evaluate applications and give decisions continuously as they arrive, rather than waiting for a single fixed deadline. Key features include receiving fast results, having an extended application window, and spots filling up over time.

Early decision (ED) is a college application option where you apply to your top-choice school early (usually by November 1 or 15) and get your results by mid-December. It is a binding commitment: if the college accepts you, you must enroll and withdraw all other college applications. [1, 2]

Early Decision II (ED II) is a binding college application plan with a deadline in early January and decisions released by mid-February. Like Early Decision I, it requires you to enroll if accepted, but it gives students a second chance to make a binding commitment after being deferred or rejected elsewhere.

Early Action (EA) is a non-binding college application process allowing students to submit forms early—usually by November 1—and receive decisions sooner (by December or January) without being forced to commit. [1, 2, 3]

Restrictive Early Action (REA)—also called Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)—is a non-binding college application plan where you apply early to one specific school and cannot apply early to other private colleges. If accepted, you do not have to attend.

Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA)—also called Restrictive Early Action (REA)—is a non-binding college application process. You apply by an early deadline (usually November 1) and get your results by mid-December. If accepted, you do not have to attend and have until May 1 to decide, but you cannot apply early to other private colleges.[1, 2, 3]