Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive-Early Action, Rolling & Regular Admissions: Defined
September 15 is the first Early Action deadline that I am aware of. Rolling applications are already being accepted. If you’re applying to college, you should understand the various admissions deadlines, the pros and cons of each, and how to evaluate which deadline(s) is/are best for you. Like most aspects of the college admissions process, admission deadlines are more complicated than they appear. A strategic college admissions process includes a solid understanding of what each admissions deadline means and which is best for you.
Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision is binding; if a student is accepted, he/she agrees to pay the deposit and withdraw all other applications. Students may only apply ED to ONE school. So why do students apply ED? At some schools, including Duke University, applying ED significantly increases the odds of acceptance (16.7% v 7.6% in 2020). Some smaller, elite schools, including Boston University, Bryn Mawr, Case Western Reserve, Claremont-McKenna, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern, NYU, Tulane, and Wake Forest University, have two ED deadlines, indicating the importance they place on ED. While students who apply ED can expect to be notified quickly, students and parents must understand the commitment they are singing off on and what the numbers actually mean for them.
For more information on applying ED and a list of schools who offer ED, read What you Need to Know about Early Decision Admissions
Early Action (EA)
Access to scholarships and honors programs are good incentives to apply EA. Also, colleges are accepting more and more students in the early action pool. Students who apply EA receive admissions decisions earlier making for a less stressful senior year.
Restrictive Early Action (REA)
Although not as common as EA and ED, some highly-rejective private schools, including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale offer REA. What this means is that applicants agree not to apply EA or ED to other private institutions or ED to a state university. Notre Dame's REA policy allows non-binding early applications to other public and private institutions. As with EA and ED, REA applicants can expect a decision early, but unlike ED, it is not binding.
Rolling Admissions
Rolling admissions is when colleges evaluate and respond to applications as they receive them. Students who apply to schools with rolling admissions should get their applications in early (think opportunity cost & merit scholarships).
Regular Decision
Typically, this is the latest date by which an institution will accept applications. Students who feel that they will be more competitive for a college or university in light of senior grades, stronger test scores, or other information can wait.
Which admissions cycle is best? The answer depends on the student and context.
It is important to be strategic (i.e., consider application strength & institution) and evaluate ALL data when making a decision. While most of my clients apply EA because it demonstrates enthusiasm, meets Honors Programs deadlines, and gives first dibs on merit scholarships, I have found that students who complete applications early and have a good idea where they will go early in the New Year feel accomplished and settled.
For more information on which college admissions cycle is best for you and/or why or anything else related to the college admissions process, feel free to contact me at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.
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