Curious about College Application Cycles

Hi guys, I'm starting the college application process soon, but I'm a bit confused about how the application cycles work. I know there's Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision... can someone give me a brief rundown of these and any others I might not know about? Also, any tips for which to choose? Thanks!

Sure, I'd be happy to help clarify these different types of application plans:

1. Early Decision (ED): This is a binding agreement, which means if you get accepted, you must attend the college (unless the financial aid package is not viable for you). The deadline for ED varies, but it's usually around November 1 or November 15. Decisions typically come back in mid-December. Some schools have ED II, which has a later deadline (usually in January), but is also binding.

2. Early Action (EA): This plan is non-binding. You apply by an early deadline (often the same as the ED deadline), get your decision early, but are not required to commit right away. You still have until May 1 to decide.

3. Regular Decision (RD): This is the traditional pathway. Deadlines are generally in January or February, and you should receive your decision in March or April.

4. Rolling Admission: Some colleges don’t have a fixed deadline and will review applications as they come in until all spots are filled. It's advantageous to apply early in a rolling admission cycle.

5. Restricted Early Action (REA) / Single Choice Early Action (SCEA): Like EA, but you are typically restricted from applying early (either EA or ED) to other schools.

As for which to choose, it depends on your situation. If you have a clear first-choice college and your application is strong early on, ED could be a good choice. However, you should make sure that you're comfortable with its binding nature and have considered any potential financial implications. If you're still exploring options or need additional time to improve your application, then RD or EA may be a better fit. If you’re applying to a lot of highly selective colleges, using EA could help as you’ll hear back from them before the RD deadlines.

Remember that applying ED or EA does typically boost your chances of admission, even when controlling for profile strength. Overall, it's about determining what fits best with your preferences and strategy. Good luck!