Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular

BillyMc
Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:31:12 +0000

Early Decision
-Apply earlier than the regular deadline
-Receive your decision earlier
-Usually increases your chances of admission
-It is binding, so you have to go if you’re admitted (or at least can’t go elsewhere)
-Can only get out of it for financial reasons, but then you’ve lost other opportunities

Early Action
-Apply earlier than the regular deadline
-Receive your decision earlier
-Generally doesn’t increase chances
-Non-binding, usually have until May 1st (like all others) to decide

Rolling Admission
-Apply earlier or on time
-Receive your decision on a timeline based on when you submitted
-Applying earlier sometimes boosts chances
-Non-binding

Regular Decision
-Apply with the standard deadline (often around Jan 1st)
-Find out usually by or before April 1st
-Have until May 1st to decide
-Advantage: have more time to build up scores/grades/activities before applying
-Non-binding