As if finding the right college wasn’t a challenge enough, American institutions of higher education have developed an ever expanding menu of admissions options; Early Decision (ED), ED II, Early Action (EA), EA II, Regular Decision (RD); rolling admissions, open admissions, etc, etc. 

Help is at hand. Watch our Facebook Live post where co-founder Denise Kupetz explains the different options. If you want more detail, you will also find more information below the video

This allows a university to offer early admissions and a likely financial aid package to students committed to attending that particular school. Early decision is binding, meaning if accepted the student will be attending the school. Therefore, applicants must be very confident it is their first choice! Students can apply to other schools as a regular decision applicant, provided they understand that if accepted ED to another institution, all other applications must be rescinded.  Because a student agrees to attend an ED school before they know what their financial aid package will be, this is an option that many students choose if finances are not a major concern and they are certain the school is their first choice. There are schools offering early decision in two rounds. Thus, the terms an ED I and   ED II

This option is similar to ED in that an applicant will apply to a university of their choice prior to the regular decision option. Unlike ED, they do not require a binding commitment from the student indicating they will attend if accepted. However, it is a way to demonstrate to a school that it is a student’s top choice, or one of their top choices. Upon acceptance, a student can choose to make the commitment right away or they can wait until the spring to make a final decision. This may be a better option if the size of the financial aid package is of primary importance. This also gives applicants the opportunity to apply to other schools as an early action applicant. Some schools offer a version of the early action plan called single-choice early action. This is when you agree not to apply to other schools early. However students can still apply during the regular admissions time frame. Under the single-choice plan students can still inform the early action school of their decision in the spring. A few schools offer early action in two rounds. Thus, the terms an EA I and   EA II. 

This is as it sounds and as one would expect. It is the last date by which a student should apply to a particular institution. The RD date is the time by which a student must have all application materials in to the institution(s) of choice.

It is important to note that many colleges and universities also operate under the idea of rolling admissions. Rolling admissions does not however mean wait for the last minute to apply because you think an institution will have openings. Schools with rolling admission may or may not be particularly selective. Rolling admissions means that an institution will start admitting students as soon as their applications start rolling in. Therefore, the institution will be admitting students until they have formed the class they want. Many times this occurs prior to the end date that an institution has published as their regular decision deadline. Families should consider rolling admissions to be a signal to apply earlier, not to apply later. Typically students have until May 1 to accept or decline an offer. 

Which admissions route to take should be carefully understood by families and students alike as it is complex, and there are a lot of specifics such as financial aid they need to work in tandem in-order to ultimately make a best fit in college choice.

Still have questions or want to learn more about the college admissions process? Call us at (720) 422-7676  Email us at info@www.collegeroutemap.com  Write us utilizing the comment box attached to this post.

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