ED (Early Decision)
Early Decision requires applicants to apply to only one school. If admitted, they must withdraw applications from all other institutions. Therefore, ED schools should be slightly above your academic level to increase the chances of getting into your dream school.
Admission Rate: ED acceptance rates are generally higher than RD.
Notification: ED applications typically receive decisions by mid-to-late December.
If rejected from School A's ED1, you may apply to School B's ED2, but you cannot reapply to School A for ED2 or RD in the same cycle. Since ED1 already gives the school an impression of your application, it is advisable not to apply to the same school again for ED2 or regular decision.
Deadlines:
ED1: October 15 – November 1
ED2: January 1
ED prioritizes legacy applicants: Whether you are the child or grandchild of a Penn alumnus, applying to the University of Pennsylvania through ED receives the most consideration.
Pros: Learn your admission decision early.
Cons: If admitted, you cannot decline enrollment.
EA (Early Action)
Early Action differs from Early Decision in that it is not exclusive or binding. You can simultaneously apply to one school under ED, multiple schools under EA, and many under RD/RA.
If not admitted via ED1 or EA, you can proceed with ED2 at another school. If admitted via EA, you are not required to withdraw other applications and can adjust based on results, such as applying to better RD schools. EA is more flexible, making it a good option for confident students to secure an early safety.
Admission Rate: EA acceptance rates are higher than RD.
Deadline: November 1
Notification: Results released from late December to early February; admitted students have until May 1 to confirm enrollment.
Pros: Learn your admission decision early.
Can apply to multiple universities.
Cons: Requires early preparation; competition is intense.
Special EA Types
REA (Restrictive Early Action):
Allows students to apply to only one school under REA. If you apply REA, you cannot simultaneously apply ED but may apply EA to other schools and RD. Currently, undergraduate institutions using REA include Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Princeton.
SCEA (Single Choice Early Action):
After applying SCEA, you cannot apply to other schools' EA or ED, but you can apply RD. If rejected under SCEA, you may still apply RA or RD to other schools if time permits.
Note: Since ED1 and EA deadlines mostly fall on November 1, students should plan to have standardized test scores ready by then—ideally SAT1 or ACT by October. If that's not possible, ED2 with a January 1 deadline offers another chance.
ED allows only one school; EA has no set limit in principle, but applying to too many may compromise essay quality. A reasonable range is 2–3 EA schools, adjusted based on individual preparation for optimal choices.
RD (Regular Decision)
Regular Decision deadlines are one to two months later than ED/EA. Most students use this option and can apply to multiple RD schools simultaneously.
Deadline: Typically January 1; some schools have February 1.
Notification: Ivy League schools release decisions uniformly on March 30; others from mid-March to early April.
Admitted students have until May 1 to confirm enrollment.
Pros: Ample time for preparation and testing.
Can apply to multiple universities.
Cons: Notification arrives later.
RA (Rolling Admission)
Rolling Admission allows applications year-round or from spring to fall. Some schools with RA still have a Priority Deadline; if you're keen, try to meet it. Even without a priority deadline, early application is recommended.
RA typically operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early to avoid missing out due to a full class.
Deadline:
Often a long application window or no fixed deadline.
Response Time:
The earlier you apply, the earlier you receive a response. Some schools reply within weeks; others send notifications on specific dates.
Pros: Ample time for preparation and testing.
Can apply to multiple universities.
Cons: Top-tier schools rarely offer RA.
Common Application Combinations
1. ED1 + RD (+ EA)
If your standardized test scores already meet the ED school's average and your soft factors (extracurriculars, essays, etc.) align well, apply ED1 seriously. EA schools are optional; applying to more than two is not recommended.
2. ED2 + RD (+ EA)
If your current scores don't yet meet ED requirements but you're confident about upcoming tests, and your soft factors match, choose ED2 with its more flexible timeline.
3. ED1 + (ED2) + RD + (EA)
If you're confident about the upcoming October SAT or September ACT and your soft factors align well, try ED1 first. An admission is ideal; a rejection may lead to being deferred to RD, after which you can select an ED2 school.
4. REA + RD + (EA) or REA + (ED2) + RD + (EA)
REA (Restrictive Early Action) is an exclusive early application; few universities offer it.
5. EA + RD
If you prefer not to be bound to one school, lack a clear dream school, or have excellent hard and soft qualifications, EA is a viable early option.
6. RD
If your application preparation started late or your test scores need improvement, don't rush into early applications. Regular Decision, with deadlines typically in early January or February, gives you more time for test prep and essay writing.
