I'm a bit confused about the regular decision process. Can someone explain what regular decision means compared to other application types? I'm trying to decide which deadlines I should prioritize for my applications.
Absolutely, happy to clarify. Regular Decision (RD) is the most common application process where the application deadline usually falls somewhere between January 1 and January 15. The admission decisions for RD are typically sent out in March or April.
RD stands in contrast with other types of application processes. Namely, Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA).
Early Decision is a binding agreement - if you're accepted via ED, you must attend that school, unless the financial aid package is inadequate. ED applications typically have a deadline in November, and you'll typically receive a decision in mid-December.
On the other hand, Early Action is not a binding agreement; you can apply to multiple schools via EA and are free to choose among any acceptances you receive. The EA timeline is similar to ED, with deadlines generally falling in November and decisions being released in mid-December.
Prioritizing deadlines depends on where your interest lies. If there are schools you're extremely confident you would attend if accepted, consider applying to ED or EA to demonstrate your enthusiasm. If you're still weighing your options or need more time to prepare your application to be as strong as possible, the RD route would be best. Remember, whichever route you choose, be vigilant about adhering to the respective deadlines.
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