Definitions of Admission Options in Higher Education
Topics: College Information Resources, Teen Years (13-19)
Students: Which College Admission Process Best Suits you?
Non-Restrictive Application Plans
Regular Decision
Definition: Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time.
Commitment: Binding
Rolling Admission
Definition: Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle.
Commitment: Non-binding
Early Action (EA)
Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution's regular response date.
Commitment: Non-binding
Restrictive Application Plans
Early Decision (ED)
Definition: Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early.
Commitment: Binding
Restrictive Early Action (REA)
Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to confirm.
Commitment: Non-binding
Reprinted with the permission of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. © 2008 National Association for College Admission Counseling.
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