College Admissions Process Redux

COLLEGE ADMISSION OPTIONS IN A NUTSHELL

Parents and students should commit this information to memory. The first word in the parent's College Admissions "Mantra" should be DEADLINE.


Early Decision


The student having decided upon their first choice college or university applies as an early decision candidate. The early decision applicant understands that under the early decision process, they are agreeing to attend the school if they are accepted and that the financial aid offered by the college is adequate to meet the needs of the student.

*Students must determine the school’s particular restrictions and follow the restriction without any deviation from the guidelines.

The student’s decision is binding.


Early Action

Students may submit applications early and will receive a decisions from the admissions office before the school's regular response date for regular decision applicants (typically late March or early April).

*Students must determine the school’s particular restrictions and follow the restriction without any deviation from the guidelines.

The student’s decision is non-binding.


Restrictive Early Action

Under this admissions process, the student applies early to a preferred school and receives an early decision. However, depending upon the college or university’s own peculiar policy, the student may be prohibited from applying as an Early Decision, Early Action or Restricted Early Action Candidate to another college. The student may still apply as a regular decision applicant to other schools. A Restricted Early Action Applicant has until May 1 to decide whether or not they want to accept the schools offer of admission.

*Students must determine the school’s particular restrictions and follow the restriction without any deviation from the guidelines.

The student’s decision is non-binding.


Regular Decision

Students are required to submit their application to the college or university by a designated time. They will receive a response from the admissions office within a clearly specified time period.

* Students may apply to other institutions. They have until May 1 (or some later time at some schools) to accept or reject the offer of admissions.

The student’s decision is non-binding.


Rolling Admission

Students may submit applications throughout the schools specified admissions cycle (usually from August to January or some other later date). The admissions committee evaluates applications throughout the admissions cycle.


* Students may apply to other institutions. They have until May 1 (or some later time at some schools) to accept or reject the offer of admissions.

The student’s decision is non-binding.