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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTypes of College Admissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\nApplying Early Decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many private colleges offer early decision admissions. The early decision applications demonstrate to the school\u2019s admissions committee that their school is a student\u2019s first school choice. \u00a0 1. Early decision applicants are notified of a school\u2019s admissions decision before regular admission applicants.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. The early decision applicants receive an early financial aid package including any scholarships that the school is able to offer. [Note that students will still need to submit the\u00a0Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0CSS Profile<\/strong>\u00a0in order to receive their financial aid package.]\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. It reduces the amount of stress and anxiety (time-wise at least) that students experience searching for a college during their senior year of high school.\u00a0Many early decision applicants are notified by mid-December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Some schools give additional perks to early decision applicants. Special offers include things like priority financial aid, early Fall 2023 registration, as well as early move-in to residence halls and early room selection for students who will live on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (One university that sent my son information last year even offered free parking\/to waive the school\u2019s parking permit fee for the first year if he applied early decision.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Some schools have a second round of early decision applications in January. Another option for many schools is to apply early action. Many private and public schools offer this non-binding possibility. Unlike early decision admissions, early action applicants are not bound to the college that they apply to for early action. They don\u2019t have to commit to attending a particular college if they are accepted early action. They can still choose to go to another college.\u00a0Students can also apply early action to multiple colleges.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a student has a strong interest in attending a particular school, early action is great. They will receive an admission decision months before regular decision applications \u2013 giving them plenty of time to make a final decision. (Students will usually receive a response in January.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this option, schools consider applications as they receive them. Many public schools offer this non-binding type of admission. Students can also apply to colleges as regular decision applicants. Usually, students will get a decision on their application around mid-March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a student is accepted through early decision, then it\u2019s a binding agreement. That means that they will attend that school if accepted\u00a0and\u00a0are awarded a financial aid package that allows them to be able to attend that school<\/strong>. They will then withdraw any other regular admissions applications that they may have submitted to other schools.
If your teen is certain that a particular school is their number one pick, they can consider applying as an early decision student.\u00a0Students can not apply to more than one college under early decision. Although you need to check the prospective school\u2019s deadline, November 1st is the general deadline for early decision applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly Decision Benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Additional Notes:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
*Legacy and recruited athletes are usually required to apply early decision. \u201cLegacy\u201d applicants are prospective students with some kind of family tie to a college or university.
*Overall, applying early decision can be an advantage. It can be especially helpful when applying to larger schools and universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly Action Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Similar to the early decision, the application deadlines are usually November 1st. Early action admissions are good if the student really likes their grades from their junior year of high school and wants to be judged by them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRolling Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The earlier that students submit their applications, test scores and other materials, the sooner their applications will be reviewed. I encourage applying as soon as possible so that a decision can be made \u2013 by both the school and the student.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRegular Decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other Admission Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n