U.S. colleges offer several application options, including Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action/Single-Choice Early Action, and Regular Decision.
In this article, we will explain each application option, its pros and cons, and how to decide which option may fit your situation.
Different Types of US College Application Options
What is a Regular Decision?
Regular Decision is the most common application option. It is a non-binding option, meaning admitted students are not required to enroll. Regular Decision deadlines vary by college. Many selective colleges set deadlines in early January, while others use later deadlines or rolling admission.
Colleges typically announce Regular Decision results in late March or early April, and admitted students usually have until May 1 to submit an enrollment deposit.
What is Early Decision I?
Early Decision I is an application option offered by some colleges to admit qualified students before the Regular Decision round. It is a binding option: accepted students are expected to enroll, withdraw other applications, and stop submitting new applications. However, if the financial aid package is not affordable for the family, students should contact the college before deciding whether they can accept the offer.
Students can apply Early Decision to only one college at a time. Some colleges allow students to submit non-binding Early Action or Regular Decision applications elsewhere, but students must follow each college’s policy. If admitted through Early Decision I, students must withdraw their other applications.
In Early Decision I, students often submit applications by November 1 or November 15. Colleges often release decisions in mid-December, and admitted students may need to submit an enrollment deposit earlier than May 1. Exact dates vary by college.
Pros of Early Decision I
- Early Decision may show strong interest in a college, but a higher early admit rate does not always mean an individual applicant has a higher chance of admission.
- Students may save time and application fees if they are admitted early and can withdraw other applications.
- Students may be able to enjoy the rest of senior year with less stress about college applications.
Cons of Early Decision I
- Students cannot compare financial aid offers from multiple colleges after being admitted through Early Decision. If financial aid is important to you, apply Early Decision only after carefully reviewing the college’s financial aid policy and net price estimate.
- An earlier deadline means that a student needs to complete the application, essays, recommendations, and required tests earlier. Because the deadline comes before first-semester senior-year grades are usually available, students who want colleges to review those grades may benefit from applying Regular Decision or Early Decision II.
What is Early Decision II?
Early Decision I and Early Decision II are very similar because both are binding. The main differences are the application deadline and the notification date. In Early Decision II, the application deadline is often in early January, and students are usually notified in February. Admitted students generally need to submit an enrollment deposit shortly after receiving the decision. Exact dates vary by college.
Pros of Early Decision II
- Early Decision II may be useful for students who identify a first-choice college after the Early Decision I deadline or who want more time to strengthen their application.
Cons of Early Decision II
- Early Decision II is still binding, and any admissions advantage varies by college.
- Students may still need to prepare Regular Decision applications while waiting for the Early Decision II result.
- Students cannot compare financial aid offers from multiple colleges if they enroll through Early Decision II.
What is Early Action?
Unlike Early Decision I and II, Early Action is a non-binding application option. This means admitted students are not required to attend that college. Early Action enables students to submit applications early and receive a decision earlier than the Regular Decision timeline. Some selective colleges offer Early Action, while others offer Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, or only Regular Decision.
In Early Action, students often submit applications by November 1 or November 15, although exact deadlines vary. Colleges may announce results in December, January, or February. Admitted students usually have until May 1 to submit enrollment deposits.
Pros of Early Action
- Students can receive a decision earlier without making a binding commitment.
- If admitted, students may have more time to compare colleges and financial aid offers before the May 1 reply deadline.
Cons of Early Action
- An earlier deadline means that a student needs to complete the application, essays, recommendations, and required tests early. Because some early deadlines come before first-semester senior-year grades are available, students who want those grades reviewed should check each college’s policy.
What is Single Choice Early Action?
Single-Choice Early Action, also called Restrictive Early Action at some colleges, is a non-binding early application option offered by a small group of selective institutions. Students admitted through this option usually have until May 1 to decide whether to enroll.
However, Single-Choice Early Action and Restrictive Early Action policies are restrictive. Students may be limited from applying Early Action or Early Decision to other colleges at the same time. The exact restrictions and exceptions vary by institution. For example, some colleges allow early applications to public universities, non-U.S. universities, rolling admission programs, or scholarship programs with early deadlines. Students should always read the policy on each college’s official admissions website before applying.
In Single-Choice Early Action, students often submit applications by November 1. Colleges typically release results in mid-December, and admitted students usually have until May 1 to submit enrollment deposits.
For Early Applications: Accepted/Deferred/Rejected
In early applications, a student may be accepted, deferred, or rejected. Deferral means that the student is not accepted or rejected in the early round and that the application will be reviewed again with the Regular Decision pool.
For Regular Decisions: Accepted/Waitlisted/Rejected
In Regular Decision, a student may be accepted, waitlisted, or rejected. Being waitlisted means that the student is not initially admitted but may be offered admission later if space becomes available. Waitlist outcomes vary widely by college and year, so students should follow the college’s instructions and secure a spot at another college by the required deadline.
Our Pro Tip Advice
Suppose you have a strong GPA, strong test scores if required, and a well-prepared application by November of your senior year. In that case, applying early may be a good option because it can motivate you to prepare the Common App, essays, and financial documents earlier. However, Early Decision and Early Decision II should be used only when a college is clearly your first choice and the financial aid situation is realistic for your family.
We recommend applying to three to four Early Action schools that offer strong financial aid for international students or that are likely to be affordable for your family. If you need aid that covers only tuition, you may have more options among mid-tier colleges. If you need aid that covers tuition, room, board, and other costs, you will generally have fewer options and should verify each college’s current international financial aid policy directly on its official website.
We hope this article on Types of College Application Options was helpful to you. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students!
