Navigating the college admissions process involves understanding the nuances of various decision plans, each tailored to different students’ preferences and circumstances.
Here are the four main admission decision plans (note: not all schools offer all of these options):
Regular Decision – typical due date is in January
Rolling Admission – the earlier students apply, the earlier they get a decision
Early Action – typical due date is in November
Early Decision – usually due in November, the decision is a binding commitment
Regular Decision
Regular Decision remains the traditional approach, requiring applications to be submitted by a standard deadline, often around January 1st. Admissions decisions are typically released in the spring, allowing students ample time to consider their options. Rolling Decision, however, operates on a first-come, first-served basis, giving applicants the advantage of receiving decisions sooner. This option offers flexibility, though applying earlier can be advantageous due to limited space.
Early Action
For those seeking an accelerated timeline, Early Action (EA) is an attractive choice. Most of my students apply EA to the majority of schools. With deadlines usually falling in November, students applying through EA receive admission decisions earlier than the regular pool. The non-binding nature of EA provides the flexibility to explore multiple college options.
Early Decision
Conversely, Early Decision (ED) entails submitting applications by the same early deadline but carries a binding commitment. If accepted, students commit to attending that institution, making it a suitable option for applicants who are certain about their top-choice school. ED applicants often face a higher acceptance rate compared to regular decision, reflecting the institution’s interest in admitting students who are genuinely enthusiastic about attending. Due to the binding nature of ED, students need to make sure they can afford their top choice, and that they won’t change their mind.
A distinctive variation of early application is Restrictive Early Action (REA). This approach allows students to apply early to a college without the binding commitment associated with ED. However, REA applicants usually cannot apply to other private colleges’ early decision programs concurrently. This plan provides a balance between early notification and the flexibility to keep other options open. One key consideration for students applying through early decision plans, whether ED or REA, is the potential boost in acceptance rates. Colleges tend to admit a higher percentage of their incoming class through these avenues, recognizing the commitment demonstrated by these applicants.
The variety of college admissions decision plans cater to different timelines and levels of commitment. Regular Decision and Rolling Decision offer traditional and flexible paths, respectively, while Early Action provides early notification without binding commitments. Early Decision and Restrictive Early Action are options for students with a firm top choice and a willingness to commit. Each plan has its merits, and the choice depends on an applicant’s circumstances, level of certainty, and desired timeline.
Please reach out if you or your student have questions about the admissions process!
