<p>I've been reading a few threads on here and a few articles in magazines, and I see a lot of different kinds of college admissions. "Early decision", "Rolling admissions", etc. What are these and what makes them different from each other? Sorry if this is a common knowledge thing for some of you, but it isn't for me. Thanks!</p>
<p>You can search the site and get lots of info. In brief, Early Decision is a binding commitment from the applicant. They submit their file to a single school and by mid Dec, receive notification of accept/reject or defer. If accepted, they are bound to attend. </p>
<p>This contrasts with Early Action where you apply early, get an early notification, but are not bound to attend and can apply "regular decision" to other schools. (Some schools have Single Choice Early Action which you agree not to apply EA/ED to other schools)</p>
<p>Rolling admissions refers to when applications are decided as they come in. Most schools have a defined app deadline and then a defined notifcation date. Rolling admissions is not bound by this.</p>
<p>Here's what the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) says about the different kinds of admission systems: </p>
<p>ADMISSION ROUNDS PER NACAC </p>
<p>Non-Restrictive Application Plans: All of these plans allow students to wait until May 1 to confirm enrollment.</p>
<p>Regular Decision is the application process in which a student submits an application to an institution by a specified date and receives a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time. A student may apply to other institutions without restriction.</p>
<p>Rolling Admission is the application process in which an institution reviews applications as they are completed and renders admission decisions to students throughout the admission cycle. A student may apply to other institutions without restriction.</p>
<p>Early Action (EA) is the application process in which students apply to an Statement of Principles of Good Practice Interpretations of Mandatory Practices institution of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date. Students who are admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1. Under non-restrictive Early Action, a student may apply to other colleges.</p>
<p>Restrictive Application Plans: These are plans that allow institutions to limit students from applying to other early plans.</p>
<p>Early Decision (ED) is the application process in which students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. While pursuing admission under an Early Decision plan, students may apply to other institutions, but may have only one Early Decision application pending at any time. Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment. The institution must notify the applicant of the decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time after the Early Decision deadline. Usually, a nonrefundable deposit must be made well in advance of May 1. The institution will respond to an application for financial aid at or near the time of an offer of admission.</p>
<p>Institutions with Early Decision plans may restrict students from applying to other early plans. Institutions will clearly articulate their specific policies in their Early Decision agreement.</p>
<p>Restrictive Early Action (REA) is the application process in which students make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date. Institutions with Restrictive Early Action plans place restrictions on student applications to other early plans. Institutions will clearly articulate these restrictions in their Early Action policies and agreements with students. Students who are admitted under Restrictive Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. Does any one of the above admissions have an advantage over another? In other words, are my chances of getting admitted under Early Action greater than my chances of acceptance under Regular Decision? If no, then why should they have two different time periods for admissions?</p>
<p>Each college and university decides their own admission schedule and strategy.</p>
<p>I suggest you read whatever is posted on the Parents and Financial Aid forums about this. There are different strategies that you can use if you need to maximize your financial aid.</p>
<p>All the best.</p>