Can someone explain early action, regular decision, and rolling admission?

I'm trying to understand my college application options, and I'm a bit lost. What are the main differences between early action, regular decision, and rolling admission? How do these choices vary in terms of deadlines and chances of admission?

Sure, I'm happy to break it down for you!

Early Action (EA): This is essentially an expedited application process. The deadlines for EA applications typically fall in early November. The advantage of EA is that you'll receive a decision from the school earlier, usually in December or January. It's important to note that EA is non-binding, which means you're not obligated to attend if you're accepted. Some schools offer a variation called Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA), where you can't apply EA or ED to any other schools.

Regular Decision (RD): This is the typical admissions process for most colleges. Deadlines usually fall in late December or January, and you receive your decision in late March or April. RD is also non-binding.

Rolling Admissions: This is a more flexible process where a school reviews applications and makes decisions on a rolling basis. In other words, the sooner you submit your application, the sooner you'll receive a decision. Deadlines for rolling admissions can extend as late as the spring, or until the incoming class is filled.

As for chances of admission, keep in mind that acceptance rates can vary a little between these options due to the demographics of who applies. For example, Early Action/Early Decision applicants often include a high number of extremely competitive students, so don’t be discouraged by lower acceptance rates in EA/ED rounds.

Applying EA or ED, though, can show demonstrated interest and result in higher admission rates. On average, applying ED typically increases chances by around 1.6x at super selective schools. Applying EA also increases your chances, but the effect is smaller as EA does not require you to commit to attending if accepted.

In rolling admissions, it can sometimes be advantageous to apply earlier while there are more spaces available. However, each school handles rolling admissions differently, so it's a good idea to contact the school directly to understand their specific process.

Remember to always consider your individual circumstances when choosing which option to apply under. Be sure to have your application completed and polished by the earlier EA or ED deadlines if you're taking that route. If you need a bit more time to refine your application, Regular Decision could be a better choice.