General questions regarding early decision

Parents Forum
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<p>Could someone please answer a few questions I have about early decision (or direct me to a helpful thread or website)?
As I think I undestand it now, a student can apply to only one school ED, and if accepted, they must attend -- the decision is binding -- correct?
If they are not accepted ED, they should have the application for their second choice school ready in time to send in for ED2(?)
The only way you can apply to more than one school at a time is through regular decision(?) If so, then what is early admission?</p>

<p>Sorry - this is a lengthy and not-very-interesting question, but one I would love some help with. Thanks.</p>

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<p>There are all sorts of permutations now. One that favors students is "Early Acceptance," which is NOT binding on students but lets the school know you're very interested in them.</p>

<p>Here's a page that explains EA & ED.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/article/0,3868,5-25-0-104,00.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/article/0,3868,5-25-0-104,00.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>There is also "Interim Decision," that has it's own permutations that you can read about as well.</p>

<p>My son applied regular decision to all his schools because honestly he is not sure which one he is most interested in. (Unfortunately, he's also a procastinator, but did meet deadlines for merit aid, he says.)</p>

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<p>Applying ED, early decision, doesn’t prevent you from applying RD, regular decision, or EA, early action, to other schools simultaneously. If you are accepted to your ED choice you must attend. At that point you withdraw your RD, EA, and rolling applications. If you’ve already been admitted elsewhere you advise that school that you will not attend.</p>

<p>EA schools also allow you to apply to other schools RD and rolling. The difference is that if accepted you have no obligation to attend.</p>

<p>SCEA, Single Choice Early Admission, is a permutation of EA which limits you to ONE early choice. If you apply to a SCEA school you may not simultaneously apply to another ED or EA school. This is determined by the SCEA school, not the ED school. Rolling admissions (schools that accept as applications “roll in” over a period of several months) are usually exceptions. Generally, you may apply to a rolling admissions school AND a SCEA school.</p>

<p>EDII follows the same rules as EDI. You may apply to other schools, but if you are accepted you must withdraw your applications. EDII is timed as a second choice if you’re rejected by your EDI school or if you just need more time. The number of schools that offer EDII is limited.</p>

<p>The complication with EDI and EDII is that instead of an outright denial/rejection, you may receive a deferral from your EDI school. This means that they toss your application into the RD pile and let you know finally accept/deny in April with the other RDs. In this event, you have to consider carefully whether to apply to another school EDII or to hold out for a decision from your EDI choice.</p>

<p>If you are deferred from your SCEA, EDI or EDII school all contractual obligations are off. Your application is considered part of the RD pool. You may apply wherever you want and accept any other offers.</p>

<p>I’m a proponent of the ED system with the following caveats: Investigate your financial position thoroughly before applying. General wisdom is to prepare all your RD applications well in advance of the ED admissions date as a rejection or denial could have a devastating affect on your state of mind, just when you need to be on top of your game. I would go one further and advise you to SEND those RD applications at the same time that you send the early application(s). Just put the ED/EA/SCEA application in the mail and forget about it; concentrate on perfecting the RD applications.</p>

<p>It’s all very confusing. If you are in doubt, check with the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in.</p>

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<p>Wow, Thanks -- so much information! Will have to take careful note of each schools' policies. Had no idea they varied so.</p>

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<p>And there will always be "those who the rules don't apply to":
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=147159%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=147159&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

6

<p>Yep, be sure and check a specific colleges websites, as there are a number of exceptions. I was surprised to discover that one school's "Early Decision" program was not binding until the applicant submitted a deposit (which was due Jan. 15). That would allow an applicant to receive decisions from several EA schools and rolling admissions schools (and get several financial aid decisions) before making a decision.</p>