What is Regular Decision 2?

I've heard of early decision and regular decision, but what exactly is regular decision 2? How does it differ from the first round of regular decision, and do many schools offer it?

Regular Decision 2 (RD2) isn't a widely recognized term in the college admissions process. In fact, most colleges and universities stick to three types of admissions timelines: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.

The vast majority of schools will have a single Regular Decision deadline, typically January or February. Some schools have rolling admissions, which means they accept applications until their spaces are filled.

Certain colleges may have a second priority deadline, but these are less common and their function can differ from school to school. Some may use a second deadline as an extended regular decision or a priority deadline for scholarships and specific university programs, for example.

If you come across a school with this RD2 option, it is very important to understand how they define and operate it. Direct communication with the school's admissions office might be the best way to get a clear understanding of what this means for that specific institution. Remember to always check the specific date cut-offs for any type of application cycle directly from the college's website to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date and accurate information.