| The types of application
plans students encounter during the college admissions process are
explained below. Be sure to read each college's literature carefully
and consult your counselor if you have any questions about the different
admissions plans. |
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| Many colleges establish
an application deadline by which all applications must be received
or postmarked, such as January 1, January 15, or February 1, etc.
All students are then notified of the colleges’ decisions at
a uniform response date, typically on or before April 1. |
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| This plan is offered
by many colleges to applicants who are sure they want to attend the
college. This college clearly should be the applicant's first choice.
Traditionally, the deadline for early decision applications has been
November 1 or 15. Colleges then render a decision by mid-December.
Some colleges also have a second round of early decision (usually
in January or February). These later plans have the advantage of giving
students more time to think through their decisions. You should not
apply under an early decision admission plan unless you are certain
that you want to attend that college. If accepted under this plan,
the acceptance is binding which means the student is under an obligation
to attend the college and to withdraw or forego applications to all
other colleges. Beware! Some colleges exchange lists of students accepted
under early decision plans. |
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| This program is another option for
early notification of acceptance. However, under this plan, if admitted
the applicant is not obligated to attend that college and the student
may apply to other colleges. The student has until May 1st to decide
just as with a regular admissions plan. Colleges typically have either
an early decision option or an early action option, although some
colleges now offer both. |
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| Under this program a college considers
a student's application as soon as all the required credentials have
been received. Notification of acceptance or rejection is mailed as
soon as a decision is made. Colleges that follow this practice may
make their admissions decisions continuously over several months in
contrast to the practice of other colleges which accumulate their
applications until a deadline date and then announce all their decisions
at the same time. |
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| Most colleges allow an accepted candidate
to postpone enrollment in a college, generally for one semester or
one year. The accepted student must send a letter to the college of
his/her choice requesting deferred enrollment and must send in a deposit
by May 1, to hold his/her place. |
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| May 1 is the common date by which
accepted applicants must indicate their intention to enroll at the
college they choose to attend. By use of a common reply date, students
may evaluate all notices of admission and financial aid awards before
deciding on any one college, allowing students to make informed decision
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