It’s time to figure out some application strategy, in terms of when and how to apply to a College. You have options for how you apply to a particular College. Those options may include Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Decision and/or Rolling Admission Application Plans, depending on the College. Before we get into the details, it’s important for you to understand an important factor in the Admissions game, which is Yield.
When and how you apply to College can have a big impact on outcome. In general, there are five ways (or plans) to apply to College:
- Early Decision (ED) – sometimes there is ED1 and ED2
Applying Early Can be a Good Thing… Unless it’s Not
- Early Action (EA) – sometimes there is EA1 and EA2
- Restrictive Early Action (REA) – AKA Single-Choice Early Action
- Regular Decision (RD)
- Rolling Admission (RA)
Colleges don’t offer all of these options; typically they offer RD plus one other application plan, unless they offer RA.
A College’s policy regarding offering financial and/or merit aid for different admission plans (ED vs. RD, for example) are important considerations that should be discussed with the College’s Admission Officer. It is also important to research and discuss admission rates for the different application plans. Finally, ask about early application plans acceptance rates, adjusted for athletes and legacies. |
About 450 Colleges have Early Decision or Early Action plans. To determine which application plans are offered at a particular College, type <school name> undergraduate admissions deadlines in your search engine. Again, a College Counselor can be invaluable in navigating this complex process.
Checkout Deadlines and Timelines for related information.
Application Plans, Deadlines by College & By Date
See the spreadsheets below for ideas on how to track application deadlines for each Application Plan they offer. You will want to track this information by College and by due date.
Application Plans, Deadlines, by College
Application Deadlines, by Date
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