There are many options when a student is applying to college. Here are some of the most popular along with descriptions.

Regular Decision:

This term is used to describe the application process in which an institution reviews most of its applications prior to notifying the majority of its candidates. Most colleges have a winter application deadline (January 1 or 15 or February 1). They generally notify candidates of their acceptance between March 1 and April 12. Students then have until May 1 (the Common Reply Date) to respond to the colleges and send a deposit to the college they plan to attend. Students may apply to more than one colleges on the Regular Decision plan. Students applying for financial aid must adhere to the financial aid application deadlines for each college to which they apply.

Rolling Admission:

This term is used to describe the application process in which an institution reviews applications as they are received and offers decisions to students soon after they are made , that is, on a "rolling" or on-going basis. There is usually a shorter period between sending the application and receiving a decision than with Regular Decision plans. Students applying for financial aid must follow the financial aid application deadline set by each college to which they apply. Students may apply to other colleges and are not required to make a decision regarding enrolling before May 1. Most colleges do not have a Rolling Admission policy.

Early Action:

This term describes the application process which permits a student to apply to a college or university of preference and receive a decision by the middle of the senior year, well in advance of the normal spring response dates. Although admitted early, the candidate is not committed to enroll at that institution and may apply to other colleges. Students applying for financial aid must follow the financial aid application deadline set by the institution. Students are not required to make a commitment before May 1, but are encouraged to do so as soon as the final college choice is made. A college's EA policy can be "unrestricted" or "single choice." Most colleges do not have an Early Action policy.

EA – unrestricted – you are free to apply to more than one college with “Early” plans at the same time.

EA – restricted or single choice – you are not allowed to apply to other colleges with “Early” (ED or EA) plans at the same time.

Early Decision:

This term describes the application process which permits a student to submit an application to an institution of preference and receive a decision by the middle of the senior year, well in advance of the normal spring response date. The difference between this and Early Action is that it requires the student to commit to that college or university at the time of application: If admitted, the student must enroll. Because of the binding commitment, students should apply Early Decision only if they know they can make a well reasoned, first choice decision. Upon admission, the college will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1. Students may submit an Early Decision application to only one institution. If applying for financial aid to an Early Decision college, the student must submit a preliminary financial aid application by the college's designated date for Early Decision financial aid applicants. If admitted under an Early Decision plan, the college will respond to your request for financial aid at or near the time admission is offered. If admitted, you must enroll unless the financial aid award is inadequate. If admitted, the student must withdraw any pending applications to other colleges. Click here for more info.

Open Admissions:

This is an admissions policy whereby the college admits almost all applicants.