A lot of decisions go into submitting college applications. Students have to decide on their college list, their essay topic, their major, and so on.
One decision students may not realize they have to make until they get into the application is when they need to apply or which application deadline they will choose. Individual colleges can have a few different application deadlines for students to choose from, and it can be an important factor for some applicants.
This is one thing students shouldn’t procrastinate because deadline options can span several months with some as early as September of senior year. So students don’t miss out on any opportunities, let’s discuss the different application deadlines, what they mean, and which deadlines might be best for which type of student.
EARLY DECISION
Early decision deadlines are for students who have made their decision early. It is binding, meaning that students enter a contractual agreement with the college saying that they will attend if they are accepted. Upon acceptance, a student will withdraw any applications from other colleges.
In exchange for that commitment from a student, early decision often has a higher acceptance rate, giving students a greater chance of being admitted. For example, Vanderbilt’s regular decision acceptance rate was around 8% last year, but their early decision acceptance rate was closer to 20%.
Early decision deadlines are often in the fall, but some colleges will have a second round with a later deadline. Because students are applying early, they will also receive their results early enough to make other plans if they are not accepted.
Not all colleges have an early decision deadline - in fact, most don’t. And not all students will apply to any school by the early decision deadline - again, most don’t.
Who is Early Decision right for?
Students who have their heart set on a certain college and are 100% certain that they will attend if they are accepted.
Students who do not need to compare financial aid packages from different colleges in the spring to determine the best financial fit.
Students who are okay with receiving less financial aid from the institution since the college does not need to offer money to tempt a student to accept.
EARLY ACTION
Many colleges have the same deadlines for early decision and early action, and there’s sometimes confusion between the two. As the name suggests, early action deadlines also occur early in the fall. October 15, November 1, and December 1 are popular dates, but it’s important to check each individual college’s deadlines.
Unlike early decision, early action is not binding. Students are usually not limited to how many colleges they can apply early action to (the exception being a very few schools like Harvard and Stanford that have restricted or single-choice early action).
Usually, there is no significant acceptance rate “bump” with early action like there is with early decision. The main advantage of early action is that a student will learn their admission decision in late winter (usually January or February) instead of in early spring (usually March or April).
Early action is for the proactive student, and it’s a timeline I often recommend. It can bring students some peace of mind to have their applications finished and submitted early.
Who is Early Action right for?
Any student who is able to finish a complete and thoughtful application by a fall deadline.
Students who already have a balanced college list.
Students who are finished with standardized testing in time for the early deadlines.
Students who want to be considered for merit aid or honors colleges if the college notes that students must apply early to be considered.
Students who would like to be finished with their applications before the holidays.
REGULAR DECISION
This is the standard college deadline that is usually (again, check each school to be sure) on or after January 1. Regular decision is not binding. Students will generally receive their admission decision in spring. While students who apply early may get an admission decision weeks or months before they receive a financial aid award letter, students who apply regular decision usually receive both around the same time.
Who is Regular Decision right for?
Any student. Even students who apply early to some schools may apply regular decision to others.
Students who need or want an extra semester to improve their grades or continue standardized testing.
ROLLING ADMISSION
Colleges with rolling admission review applications as they are received rather than waiting for a hard deadline to accept applications and release admission decisions. Students can apply as early as the summer before senior year and, as long as there’s space in a college’s class, as late as a few weeks before college classes start.
With rolling admission, the early bird gets the worm. Students often receive their admission decision within weeks of submitting their application, and colleges are often less selective early in the admissions season because they have filled less of their incoming class. Colleges with rolling admission can become more selective the later a student waits to apply.
Who is Rolling Admission right for?
Students who are anxious about the college admission process - it can often help with peace of mind to have a decision from rolling admission schools before other applications are even submitted.
Students who could benefit from increased admission chances if they can submit their application soon enough.
Students who decide to add a college to their list after the regular decision deadline.
Remember, just like everything else in the college planning process, nothing is one size fits all. Just because it’s right for one student to apply early decision doesn’t mean it’s right for every student. And it’s not all or nothing. Students can and often do have a mix of deadlines!