What's considered Regular Decision action for college apps?

I'm a little confused about what exactly counts as 'Regular Decision' when applying to colleges. How does it differ from other application types like Early Decision, and what should I make sure to do when applying Regular Decision?

Regular Decision (RD) is a college application process that allows you to apply to as many schools as you want without any obligations to attend if admitted. This is unlike Early Decision (ED), where if you're admitted you agree to enroll in the university and withdraw all other applications.

With RD, application deadlines usually fall between January 1st to February 1st (although it can vary by institution), and decisions are generally released between March to April. Applying regular decision allows you more time to complete your application and gives you additional time in the first semester of your senior year to improve your academic profile, work on your essays, and further build your extracurricular resume.

When applying Regular Decision, it's important to ensure that all of your application materials are submitted by the deadline. These materials typically include the online application (usually via the Common App or the Coalition App), your high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores (unless the school is test optional or test-blind), recommendation letters, and your personal essay. Given the later deadlines for RD, it also provides an opportunity to submit updated transcripts, or any new test scores earned between the ED and RD deadlines.

Remember, applying RD means that you will have to wait a bit longer to receive your decision, and the time between RD submission and decision day can feel drawn out, especially as friends or classmates who applied ED or Early Action (EA) may have already received their decisions. However, RD provides the flexibility to choose among multiple offers of admission and financial aid packages, which can be especially valuable if affordability is a key factor in your decision.