Breaking Down the 4 Types of Application Deadlines: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision and Rolling Admissions

Are you confused about all the different types of application deadlines? Who isn’t?! See the guide below so you know the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision and Rolling Admissions.

The post below contains an excerpt from Unlocking College Admissions: Your Step-By-Step Workbook For Finding The Right College And Getting In. Interested in learning more? The book will be available for pre-order soon. Click here to receive updates and discounts!

Early Decision

Some colleges offer an Early Decision deadline, which is usually about two months before the college’s Regular Decision deadline. Early Decision applications, however, are binding, which means if the college accepts you then you are required to attend. Applying Early Decision shows a college you are very interested in attending their school, and for some colleges that can increase your chances of getting in. Do NOT apply to a school Early Decision unless you’re absolutely sure you want to go there.

Early Action

Some colleges offer an Early Action deadline, which is also usually about two months before the college’s Regular Decision deadline (and typically at the same time or after an Early Decision deadline, if the college offers it). This allows a student to apply early, which shows the college you’re more interested in attending. Each school is different, but if you have a strong application, there is some evidence to suggest that applying Early Action may slightly increase your chances of getting accepted (although not to the degree of applying Early Decision).

Regular Decision

This is the route most students take when applying to college. It is the normal application deadline and puts you in a pool with all the other applicants who applied at that time.

Rolling Admissions

Some colleges offer Rolling Admissions, which means they have no

formal application deadline. Colleges that offer Rolling Admissions are often less academically rigorous, some sort of specialty college, or have other reasons for wanting to offer flexible admissions.

A note about applying Early Action vs. Regular Decision

Many students (and their parents) push to apply Early Action because they think it might increase their chances of getting into a school. As mentioned above, while there is some evidence to suggest it may slightly increase your chances, any increase is likely minimal and you do NOT want to rush your application just so you can submit it Early Action instead of Regular Decision. A fully complete, quality application submitted for the Regular Decision deadline almost always gives you a better chance of getting into a school than a rushed, incomplete, or lower quality application submitted for the Early Action deadline.