We all know the application process can be daunting, but submitting your application before the deadline is the most defining piece of the process. If you miss the due date, the best application or the best essay won't matter because it won't be read. College deadlines vary widely, so it's important to understand the four categories that exist!

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The Four Major Categories of College Admission

The first type of admission, the one with the most flexibility, is called Rolling Admission. In a Rolling Admission system, colleges process applications as they are received until all spots are filled. The benefit of this is simple: the earlier you apply, the earlier you will get a response. This type of admission to a college can be a great option for a safety school or as a definite match but make sure you apply early (fall). Waiting until the spring means it might be completely filled by then. 

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If a student knows what schools they want to apply to, there are two "Early" types of admission. Early Decision (ED), is the highest commitment option and, if you are accepted, you are committed to attending that school. This is called a binding agreement. The binding nature of this option is that you can only apply Early Decision to one school. Most colleges (if they offer Early Decision) have deadlines in early November, and you will hear back from the colleges usually mid-December. While ED is a commitment, it can allow you to complete the application process early.

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EA is non-binding, whereas, with Early Decision, you must attend if you're accepted. Deadlines are typically in November with decisions sent in mid-December, but you are not bound to attend. This provides you with the ability to receive some good news early and compare it to other acceptances that come later. It's a good option for students who are relatively confident about a school but still want to keep their options open. 

The majority of students apply Regular Decision. Regular Decision deadlines are typically set for January 1 giving you the maximum amount of time to write and revise essays, retake the SAT or ACT, or demonstrate stellar first-semester senior year grades. In Regular Decision, you have the most time to build your best application, but you will not receive a response until the middle of March or April and will also be competing against the largest number of applicants.

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Choosing Your Strategy

What timeline works best for your situation? If you have a definite first choice, and similarly good grades, an Early Decision application will wrap up your college decision making 3, and maybe more, months in advance. If you want an early decision, and want to know before committing to a school, then Early Action is the right alternative. If you want longer in order to improve your application material, Regular Decision is the most conservative option. Regardless of the option, the best advice is to be fully prepared weeks, if not months, before the earliest November deadline of your choice (both regarding test scores, and letters of recommendation). This will allow you to Finalize your options, and confirm you don't miss any application deadlines.