Regular Application Deadline and the Candidate's Reply Date
Many colleges have an application deadline by which all applications must be received such as January 1, January 15, February 1. All students are then notified of the college's decisions at a uniform response date, typically on or before April 1st.
At most colleges, May 1 is the date by which accepted applicants must indicate their intention to enroll. By use of a common reply date, students may evaluate all notices of admission and financial aid awards before deciding on any one college.
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Early Decision
This plan is offered by many colleges to applicants who have clearly identified their first choice college. Traditionally, the deadline for early decision applications has been November 1 or 15. Colleges then render a decision by mid-December. Some colleges also have a second round of early decision (usually in January or February). These later plans have the advantage of giving students more time to think through their decision.
If accepted under this plan, the student is under strong ethical obligation to attend the college and to withdraw or forego applications to all other colleges. Some colleges exchange lists of students accepted under this plan. Also, a few colleges have adopted a non-binding early decision process.
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Early Notification
An increasing number of colleges are offering an early review of applications with decisions rendered shortly thereafter. Students interested in specific colleges should check the college's web site for this information. Early notification programs allow students until May 1 to deposit: this program is non-binding.
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Early Action
This program is similar to early decision, except that, if admitted, the applicant is not ethically obligated to withdraw other applications and has until May 1 to decide. Only a few schools offer this option.
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Rolling Admissions
Under this program a college considers a student's application as soon as all the required credentials have been received. Notification of acceptance or rejection is mailed as soon as a decision is made. Colleges that follow this practice may make their admissions decisions continuously over several months.
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Deferred or Delayed Admissions
Most colleges allow an accepted candidate to postpone enrollment in a college, generally for one semester or one year.
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