How Does Regular Decision Admission Work?

I'm applying regular decision to several schools, but I'm a bit confused about how the process goes after submitting applications. Can someone explain the key steps in regular decision admissions, so I know what to expect from here?

Let's break down the Regular Decision (RD) admission process into simple steps:

1. Application: Start by completing your entire application (including essays and short answers), and ensuring that all necessary documents such as transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), letters of recommendation, and any other additional materials are sent on time.

2. Admissions Deadlines: The deadlines for applications in the regular decision process typically fall in early January, but they can range anywhere from late December to early February. Make sure to meet the deadlines for each individual school, as late applications may not be considered.

3. Financial Aid Application: Simultaneously, you should be completing any financial aid forms that the schools require, such as the FAFSA or CSS profile. It's best to do this as soon as possible because some schools give out aid on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Review Process: After submission, your application will be reviewed by a team of admissions officers. This process generally takes several weeks or sometimes even a couple of months. The number of applications reviewed in the regular decision process is typically much higher than in the early rounds, leading to a longer review period.

5. Acceptance Notification: Schools will send out regular decision notifications typically in March or April, but the exact timeline can vary widely by school. You'll either be accepted, rejected, or waitlisted.

6. Decision Time: If accepted, you will have until May 1st, which is National College Decision Day, to decide on whether or not you will attend that college. If you're waitlisted, you might have to wait even longer to hear back, sometimes until after May 1st.

Remember, each college might have slightly different timelines for their RD process, so it's a good idea to keep a spreadsheet or a similar tool to track specific dates for individual colleges. Good luck!