DECISION PLANS :

Early Decision: Typically binding. Student applies by Nov. 1 (generally) and receives a decision by mid December.  Some colleges offer 2 Early Decision deadlines, the first called ED 1 and the second (generally with a Jan. 1 deadline) called ED II.  If a student applies ED Binding, he/she signs a statement verifying that if admitted, he/she will attend and will withdraw other applications. The parent and the college counselor also must sign in most cases.

Who should apply ED Binding? Only those students who know that the college is his/her clear cut, drop dead, first choice college!  In addition, the family needs to understand that they will not be in a position to compare financial aid awards and/or wait to hear about possible merit scholarships before accepting the ED offer of admission.

Early Action: Typically NON BINDING. Same as Early Decision in terms of timeline, except that the student is NOT bound to attend the college if admitted. He/she has until May 1st to respond to the offer of admission.

Rolling Admission: Staggered deadlines throughout the year with 'rolling' decisions that generally come 4-6 weeks after an application is submitted.

Regular Decision: Application deadline of early January to early February. The most common 'plan' for colleges. Students apply by deadline and receive a decision by April 1. Students have until May 1 to respond to offer.