Application Paths for the US University

As many are aware, the first round of university applications are due relatively soon. While students should already

As many are aware, the first round of university applications are due relatively soon. While students should already know what application path they should take, it is important to have a review of each path: 

Most of you are aware, there are these paths: 

Regular Decision: This path is where students have the option to apply – ‘regular’- these due dates may vary by university and the deadlines can be anywhere from December 31, January 5, January 15th. I recommend that students send their applications before they leave for their winter holidays for two main reasons. 

  1.  The student and family will have a far more relaxing time over their vacation
  2.  If the student has any questions for teachers or counselors over the holiday, these folks   have no obligation to speak with you- they are not under contract at this time. 

Early Action: Early Action allows students to submit their applications in some cases by November 1 or November 15th. In some cases there are deadlines of October 15th. Each of these deadlines are university dependent and students should be responsible for these deadlines. Students will receive a response from the university by mid December. With hopes of a positive outcome, they have wiggle room to apply to other schools and respond to universities by May 1. 

With these two paths, students have until May 1 to determine where they wish to go to university. Early Decision is another story. 

Early Decision has a firm decision- an obligation to attend that specific university. These deadline dates generally speaking are November 1 or November 15th. Some schools can have a deadline date by October 15th. Again, it is school specific and students must pay attention to these dates. 

What makes Early Decision a bit different from the other decisions? Each student’s counselor must sign off on the application that you, the student and you the parent are aware that this Early Decision is an obligation to attend this specific school. Yes, Early Decision is one university and you had better be in love with this school. No matter if you are applying to universities outside of the US, all applications will be ‘pulled’ once the acceptance is sent to you. 

Remember, the counselor signs off on this early application as well. Students will hear hopefully by mid-December and the university will give them a specific time to respond and all other applications will have to be pulled. 

There is another application called Restrictive Early Action (REA): This allows students to apply early to one school and receive an earlier decision than regular decision with restrictions. The typical due date is November 1 with a response date of mid November. Obviously, given the name Restrictive, there are restrictions… and those restrictions may be set by the universities. Generally speaking, REA is offered by very selective schools like Harvard, Georgetown, Yale and Princeton, Boston College, Stanford, Notre Dame (as of this writing) and they have rules: 

  1. REA is non binding
  2. May 1 is a response date
  3. Students can apply to other schools with nonbinding plans, no other Early Decision Admissions programs with exceptions (see each school’s websites for exceptions)

Is this a gamble? It could be. 

All in all, students need to understand the parameters of each of these admissions options as well as knowing how many supplements come with all of these applications. 

Obviously, the dates are looming ahead. Hopefully, decisions are made and essays are entering their final drafts. Best to submit these applications several days before the due date rather than on the date due. Most schools say midnight within their time zone, not your time zone… so be aware and manage well!

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