I'm starting to put my college applications together and I'm curious about the Regular Decision process. How does it work, and when are the important deadlines I should be aware of?
Regular Decision (RD) offers an extended timeline to submit college applications compared to the Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) processes.
Under RD, students typically have until January 1 or January 15 to submit their applications, although different institutions have different deadlines, so it's essential to check each college's specific date. Also, don't forget about financial aid deadlines. For some colleges, even if the RD deadline is in January, you must submit your FAFSA by December 1.
One critical thing to bear in mind about RD is that colleges receive the vast majority of their applications through this process, so the pool of candidates can be considerably more competitive than in the early cycles.
RD admission decisions usually come out in late March or early April. You'll have until the National Decision Day on May 1 to decide which college to attend and submit your deposit. This deadline allows for ample time for you to consider multiple admission offers and financial aid packages.
Also, remember to allow time for seeking recommendation letters, composing your essays, and gathering all necessary components for your application. It's advisable to start on RD applications well ahead of the deadline to avoid any last-minute stress.
One last note: while both EA and RD are non-binding, applying via RD doesn't typically confer any admissions advantage. However, it offers you the flexibility to change your mind without any sort of contractual obligation that you would encounter with the ED process.
In summary, if you're not ready to commit to a specific college or if you need more time to improve your profile, RD might be the best path for you. But with the larger pool of applicants for the RD timeline, the competition can be intense, so make sure your application stands out. Good luck!
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