When do early admissions typically start?

Hi there! I'm a junior starting to think about college applications and I've heard about early admissions. When do these processes usually start, and how do they differ from regular admissions? Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi! It's great that you're starting to think about your college applications and learning about early admissions. Early admissions typically come in two forms: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA).

Early Decision is a binding agreement, which means that if you're accepted, you're committed to attend that school and must withdraw all other applications. Because of this, you can only apply to one school through ED. Early Action, on the other hand, is non-binding; you can apply to multiple schools through EA, and if accepted, you have until the regular decision deadline (usually May 1st) to decide whether to attend or not.

The deadlines for early admissions usually fall around November 1st or November 15th, depending on the school. Some schools also offer a second round of Early Decision (ED II) with a deadline in January. The decisions for ED and EA applications are typically released in mid-December to early February. Regular decision deadlines are usually around January 1st or January 15th, and decisions are generally released around late March to early April.

Applying through early admissions (especially ED) can boost your chances of acceptance at some colleges because it demonstrates your commitment and enthusiasm for the school. However, not all schools offer both ED and EA, so you'll need to look up the specific policies for each institution you're interested in applying to.

Remember, when applying early, you'll need to have your application materials, like essays, letters of recommendation, and test scores (if you're submitting them), ready ahead of the deadlines. Be sure to manage your time wisely and give yourself enough room to prepare a strong application.

Good luck with your college applications!