5 Types of Admisson Processes

By Guest Author - Ellen Fisher | September 24, 2009

Ellen Fisher is an Independent College Advisor working with high school students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as well as across the Nation. Please visit her web site at www.college4u.info for more information about her services.

Since seniors are submitting their college applications this time of year, here is a brief high-level overview of the 5 types of admissions processes. Some colleges and universities have more then one option and thus it is essential to understand the options and dates for every college on your list. A final decision on the one college the student is going to attend is due by May 1 unless it is an ED (Early Decision) acceptance.

REGULAR DECISION - Students must apply by a certain date, usually January 1 or 15. Notification arrives in March or April.

ROLLING ADMISSIONS - Students may apply as soon as applications are available (sometimes in August). Colleges review the applicant and notify on the decision usually within 6-8 weeks.

EARLY ACTION (EA) - Applications and all support materials must be submitted by the due date (usually 11/1 or 11/15) and decisions are delivered around Christmas.

RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION - The same as EA, but a student is only permitted to apply to ONE college using this option.

EARLY DECISION (ED) - Similar to EA in structure and timeframes, but a student is only permitted to apply to ONE ED college. If accepted by that college, the student is committed to attend that one college. If other applications have been submitted, and if they are accepted at the ED college, the student must withdraw the other applications.