In addition to the standard admissions process, many schools also offer early application cycles. While most regular decision applications are due in late December and early January, some schools accept applications due at other times of the year, with these applications being generally due a month or two before regular admission deadlines.

Early Decision

Early decision refers to a process of applying before the usual admission cycle (applications are usually a month or two earlier than the regular decision deadline for that school) in which students must attend that school if they are admitted. Almost all schools offer an early decision application option, but the deadlines and requirements vary depending on the college. Students who choose to apply  through the early decision process to one school can sometimes apply to other schools using the early action process, but cannot apply early decision to other schools, given the exclusive nature of the commitment to attend.

Early Action

Early action is similar to early decision, but early action applicants do not have to make the same commitment to attend the school if they are admitted. Details and deadlines for early action applications will depend on the specific college, but often students can send in early action applications to multiple schools.

Restrictive Early Action

Many schools have restrictive (or single choice) early action, which places an additional condition on the early action applications described above. Restrictive early action means that applicants send an early action application to one school, but it retains the distinction from early decision in that the student is not committed to attending if they are accepted.

Early Decision II and Early Action II

An increasing number of schools now offer Early Decision II or Early Action II application cycles, so there is a second opportunity to apply early. The deadline for Early Action II applications is before the deadline for Regular Decision applications, but after students hear back about standard Early Action decisions. Early Action II offers students an additional chance to apply to a school prior to Regular Decision submissions. Similarly, Early Decision II applications are due after Early Action or Decision I results are sent out and before regular decision applications are accepted, and have the same commitment clause as standard Early Decision; if admitted, a student must attend.

Rolling

A rolling admission system is one in which schools decide to accept or reject applicants during a much longer period of time than the standard window for admissions. The main advantages of rolling admissions systems are that applicants have more time to decide whether they’d like to apply, and they tend to return an admission decision in less time- especially for applicants earlier in the cycle-, typically within three to five weeks. Several well-regarded public research universities such as Purdue and University of Michigan operate under a rolling admissions system. Applying earlier to schools with rolling admissions often increases the likelihood of admission, as there are more spots available in the program. Additionally, while applications are often accepted later than the typical deadline, students are still advised to apply as soon as they feel confident in their application. Meeting priority deadlines in the fall demonstrates a greater level of interest than an application submitted late March. As with early action and early decision programs, the specifics of rolling admissions programs vary by school.