Understanding the Different College Application Deadlines
Here Are Your Options for Applying to College
The regular decision deadline is by far the most common deadline, so if you’re not ready to submit your applications by November 1st, then don’t worry. Regular decision application deadlines extend to around January 1st.
Regular Decision
Regular decision is very straightforward: you can apply to as many different schools as you like, and none of them are binding. Just make sure to pay attention to each school’s application due date! The University of California system, for example, has regular decision applications due by the end of November, while the majority of schools have them due around early January.
If you are someone who is looking to apply to many schools, then regular decision is for you. However, many schools have early action II or early decision II options, so if you weren’t ready to apply to your top school by November 1st, applying by those deadlines would be a better choice.
Early Decision
Early decision is a great way to demonstrate your interest. This is because applying early decision is making a commitment to attend the school if you get in. You should only apply early decision to one school and it should probably be your top choice school as you will be expected to withdraw all other applications if accepted.
Applying early decision has a few key benefits. You hear back earlier so not only do you not have to wait as long but you also have an opportunity to apply EDII. At some universities you even have a higher chance of getting in if you apply early decision. Many colleges publish the percent of their accepted applicants that come from the early decision pool. Make sure to research your top colleges to learn about their early decision admissions.
Early Action
Early action has the same timeline as early decision but without the commitment. You can apply early action to as many schools as you like and you do not have to enroll in any of them. Unlike early decision, early action is not binding and carries no more commitment than a usual college application.
This means you still get a decision sooner, you still get better chances of getting in at some schools, and you do not have to be completely dedicated to the university.
Early Action II
Some schools revisit their Early Application deadlines with Early Action II (EAII), where you submit your application at the same time as the regular decision applications, but hear back earlier. EAII is a great choice because it allows students to showcase their passion for a college that they may not have been ready to apply to back in November.
Early Decision II
Early Decision II (EDII) is very similar to Early Action II. Maybe you weren’t ready to apply to your top choice school by November 1st. Maybe you got rejected during the early application round by your top choice university, and you want to commit to your second choice school. EDII allows you to apply early decision at the regular decision deadline. EDII is still a binding agreement; you’re saying you will attend the school if you are accepted.
EDII is a good choice for those who know that they want to go to a certain university, just like normal ED. It shows you are committed to the school and are choosing it above all others, which could reflect well on your application.
Rolling Admission
Rolling admission means that as long as a university has spots open for its incoming class, they are still accepting applications. You can apply as early as you want or as late as you want, as long as the school is still looking for students. Rolling admission is non-binding and decisions tend to be released relatively quickly, often within one to two months.
Rolling admission is good for students looking to apply outside of the traditional timeframe of November to January or students eager to hear back faster. Still, be careful about when you apply! If you apply too late in the year, especially for popular majors, then there might not be spots left.
There are a variety of different college application deadlines to choose from. Choose the best fit for your college application journey, but remember to always check with each university’s website or admissions department if you have any questions.
