How do different decision plans (Early Action, Early Decision, Regular) impact deadlines?

I need to plan out my application strategy. How do the deadlines differ for Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision, and should my choice depend solely on those timelines?

Different colleges have different admission plans, each with their own deadlines. Remember, the decision plan you choose should align with your readiness in terms of application maturity, your certainty about a particular college, and your strategies around financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

1. Early Decision (ED): This is a binding admission strategy many colleges offer. It generally has a deadline in early to mid-November. If you apply ED, you're committing to attend that college if you get in, barring any significant financial aid shortfalls. You'll usually hear back from the college by mid-December, which can take some stress out of the rest of your senior year. However, since it's a binding agreement, you should only apply ED if you are 100% sure the school is your first choice.

2. Early Action (EA): This is a non-binding admission strategy, meaning you are free to apply to other colleges even after you receive your admission notification. They also have deadlines typically in mid-November but can range from early November to as late as early December depending on the specific college. You usually hear back by mid-December to January. EA offers the advantage of knowing your admission status early without the binding commitment of ED.

3. Regular Decision (RD): This is the standard application strategy and has later deadlines and notification dates. The deadline for RD applications is most often January 1, but it can vary based on the college, with deadlines as early as late December or as late as early February. You typically hear back from March through April, and if admitted, you have until May 1 to decide where to enroll.

Remember, while deadlines are crucial elements in deciding your application strategy, your decision plan should also suit your readiness, confidence, preference, and financial strategy. For instance, if financial aid is a crucial consideration for you, applying ED can be a bit of a gamble as you're committing to the school before comparing financial aid offers from other colleges you get into. On the other hand, if you're absolutely set on a school and know it's your top choice, applying ED can show that enthusiasm to the admissions committee. EA could be a good middle ground if you want to show interest, but also compare financial aid packages.