Historical data shows that the acceptance rate is higher for applicants who applied early decision and early action than for those who applied regular decision to the same schools. Before you decide when to apply, you should consider all the advantages and disadvantages of applying early versus applying regular decision or rolling admissions.
Applying to a school early decision means you apply to your first-choice school before the regular decision deadline and most other applicants. You will also receive an admissions decision early. Early decision is binding, which means you are committed to attending a school if you aplly
Early decision deadlines are usually in November or December.
Early action means that you can apply to a school before the regular decision deadline, and get an answer earlier than most students. Unlike early decision, early action is not binding. If you're accepted to a school early action, you're not committed to attending.
Early action deadline commonly fall in late November or early December
The term "regular decision" refers to the main application deadline for most colleges and universities. You may submit your applications before that date, but schools do not submit applications after the deadline. Most colleges have regular decision deadlines early in the new year for students who want to start in Fall.
Most 4-year colleges and universities have a regular decision application deadline in January or February.
A college or university that offers rolling admissions accepts, reviews, and responds to applications as they are submitted. Instead of waiting for an application deadline to begin reviewing applicants' materials, schools with rolling admissions offer a window of time when apps can be submitted, and accept, reject or waitlist students on an ongoing basis.
No deadline for rolling admissions. Apply anytime in a 6-month window
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