Should You Apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision?

Now that you’ve started the college applications process, let’s just throw one more variable into the mix: When should you apply to each college?  Sorry! Generally speaking for most students, you’ll probably want to apply during the regular admissions cycle.  Here are a few tips.

EARLY DECISION (ED)
Because Early Decision is binding — meaning that if you get accepted you have to enroll — only choose this if you are 100% sure that you want to go to this college.  By putting all of your eggs in one basket, and the colleges know that, you’re probably not going to get the best financial aid packages they offer.  After all, the colleges know that you’re definitely going to enroll so they’ll be saving those sweet scholarships and grants to entice other students who they need to win over. One of the benefits, however, is that you will have a decision before New Years!

EARLY ACTION (EA)
The Early Action pool of applicants are generally are stronger (more competition) group of students than Regular Decision applicants, so even though there may be a slight advantage to applying early, unless you are off-the-charts strong, this probably isn’t something you need to do.  Afterall, just having the 2 extra months to work on your essays and improve your complete applications may be a wiser decision anyhow. One of the benefits is that you’ll have a decision before New Years and you don’t have to decide until May 1st! That way, you can compare financial aid packages.

REGULAR DECISION (RD)
Most students apply Regular Decision because the application deadlines range from November until March.  This gives you plenty of time to write those essays, visit the colleges, and receive decisions from other colleges. You’ll have until May 1st to make your decision.

ROLLING ADMISSIONS
This may come as a surprise to you but not all colleges have 5% acceptance rates. Yup. With over 4,000 colleges and universities in America, there are lots of colleges that don’t fill up.  They don’t set application deadlines because they want to accept students until they fill their class each year. So, if you get in a pickle, you can always apply to a college that has rolling admissions after the March deadlines for selective colleges. Phew! Not to worry; there’s a college out there for everyone!