Types of Applications
Colleges provide various types of application options, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Each option has its own deadlines, expectations, and level of commitment. Understanding how these options function is essential, as the choice you make can impact your chances of admission, financial aid opportunities, and the time you have to compare your options before reaching a final decision.
Early Decision:
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A binding application agreement between the student and the college.
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If a student is accepted through ED, they are held to that agreement.
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Students can apply to 1 school through ED.
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Most Restrictive
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Early Action:
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A student may apply to multiple schools through an EA application.
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A non-binding early application that guarantees students an earlier admissions decision.
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Students can apply through EA to as many colleges as they want.
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Least Resetictive
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Single-Choice Early Action:
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Non-binding option.
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Students may not apply Early Decision or Early Action to any other college.
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More restrictive.
Restrictive Early Action:
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Non-binding option.
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Students can apply to only one single-choice REA school in the early round.
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Students may not apply Early Decision to any school, but can apply Early Action school
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Less restrictive since it’s not a binding decision; you can still apply to other schools and wait to compare your options before committing
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Regular Decision:
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The most common type of application.
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Deadlines are usually in early January.
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You can apply to as many schools as you want.
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If multiple colleges accept you, you choose where to enroll.
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No restrictions on applying or accepting offers.