What is the regular decision application at college?

Can someone explain what a regular decision application is? I'm trying to decide if this is the route I want to go with some colleges but need to know more about what it involves compared to an early decision.

Regular Decision is a typical application plan that most colleges and universities offer. The deadline for Regular Decision applications usually falls between January 1st and February 1st, although this can vary from school to school.

Under this plan, you complete your application by the designated deadline and then find out the admissions decision typically in March or April. If accepted, you usually have until May 1st, known as National College Decision Day, to accept or decline your offer.

Compared to Early Decision (ED), Regular Decision is non-binding. If you apply ED to a school and are accepted, you are obligated to attend that school, unless the financial aid package offered is not sufficient. With Regular Decision, you'll hear back from all of your colleges around the same time, and you'll be able to compare things like financial aid awards before making your choice.

One potential downside of Regular Decision can be increased competition. Since the majority of applicants apply during the Regular Decision round, it can sometimes be more difficult to secure a spot. However, with Regular Decision, you have more time to polish your application, improve your grades, get involved in more activities, and think carefully about which school is the best fit for you.

In the end, the decision between Early Decision and Regular Decision should be based on your level of confidence about your top-choice college and the preparation level of your application components.