<p>I was reading some posts and I read that you could apply to two colleges at early decision. Before I thought you could only apply to one college for early decision. How many colleges can you apply for in Early decision? How many colleges can you apply for in regular decision? Are there any other decisions other than early and regular?</p>
<p>If it’s early decision, only one. By applying, you’re agreeing that if you get accepted, you’ll go to their school. Kinda hard to go to two schools in the event that you get accepted to both.</p>
<p>Maybe you’re thinking of early ACTION, where you apply early, but there’s no type of contract thing that forces you to go if accepted.</p>
<p>For regular action, you can apply to as many as you want. I believe there’s a fourth type called regular decision where you are bound by contract to go if accepted, only you don’t apply early - although I’m not sure.</p>
<p>OK. Here’s an overview:</p>
<p>Early Decision: binding early application program; you may only apply to one ED school, though you may apply to early action schools if the college allows it; deadline around November 1 and decision around December 15
Early Action: non-binding early application program; you may apply to other early schools depending on the college’s specific requirements (note: SCEA or Single Choice Early Action prohibits early application to other institutions, with a few exceptions that will be noted by the university); deadline around November 1 and decision around December 15
Early Decision II: this is just like early decision, but it’s later in the year; not many schools have ED II
Rolling: rolling application processes, in which the college decides on and informs applicants as they go (taking typically 2-3 weeks), are in place at most state schools and many other schools, though typically not at the highest level schools; since they make decisions in the order they get applications, the earlier you apply the better chance you have to get in, even though they have the latest official application deadlines; rolling schools are often the only other schools you are allowed to apply early to if you’ve applied SCEA; it’s awesome to apply to rolling schools, especially as safeties, because then you find out earlier and it’s a real stress relief; don’t believe Michigan when they say they’re rolling–they’re not
Regular Decision: you apply in the winter, they tell you around April 1</p>
<p>ED - Early Decision - A binding contract that if you are accepted, you will attend. You should not do this if you also plan to apply for finan aid, but it can be easier to be accepted this way. You will either be accepted, denied or deferred to RD. Whether you can also apply to other colleges as EA at the same time you apply ED depends on the colleges. You have to read the fine print.</p>
<p>ED I and ED II - Same as ED but with different time frames</p>
<p>EA - Early Action - You apply early and it isn’t binding. It is not easier to be accepted.</p>
<p>SCEA - Single Choice Early Action - A combination of ED and EA used at Harvard, Yale and Stanford. You can apply EA but only to the one college.</p>
<p>RD - Regular Decision - This is the normal admissions process. The deadlines varying from the beginning of Dec to the middle of Feb of your senior year.</p>
<p>Rolling Admissions - There is no deadline but the early bird has a better chance before the space fills up. Once you apply, they will try to let you know as soon as possible. This is a good way to have a safety.</p>
<p>In addition, some colleges have priority admissions where if you apply early, they will try to let you know early.</p>
<p>Only in ED do you have an admissions advantage. However, you give up your ability to compare finan aid packages and you may bind yourself to a large tuition payment without knowing it in advance. Also, you don’t get to change your mind.</p>
<p>Dufus’ outline is better than mine. </p>
<p>I feel like such a loser.</p>
<p>I wasn’t trying to improve on yours. We were typing at the same time.</p>
<p>I know. </p>
<p>Just kiddin’ around. :)</p>
<p>some colleges also have Early Evaluation (like Wellesley) where they give you a likely, possibly, unlikely (or whatever else there is) notice of whether you’ll get in in April.</p>
<p>I have a question about rolling admissions. Usually how early can you start applying? Is it a similiar time frame as EA/Ed, in terms of when u would mail it in and get the app back? And then if that’s the case, are your first semester grades not sent? Also, what are the top colleges which have rolling admissions? 
Thanks!</p>
<p>The date would depend on the college. None of the really super-elite colleges have rolling admissions. Here is a website from the princetonreview.com site of colleges with rolling admissions:
<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/types/rollingcoll.asp[/url]”>http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/types/rollingcoll.asp</a></p>
<p>Also know that public universities will sometimes allow you to apply very early but they don’t call it rolling admissions. However, if you apply very early, they may let you know early. For example, Purdue takes applications in Sept and Oct, and they admit people in Sept, or not.</p>