College Application Cycles

Early Decision (ED) - a binding agreement between you and a college in which you agree that you will attend that college should they offer you admission. You can only apply to 1 college ED. If you're accepted, you have to withdraw all your other applications to other colleges.

Early Action - a non-binding option where students receive an admission decision early but have until the normal reply date (typically May 1) to decide if they wish to attend that institution

Restricted or Single-Choice Early Action - a non-binding option where a student may not apply Early Decision or Early Action anywhere else

Regular Decision - the option to apply to several colleges and universities, wait to hear decisions on all, review their respective financial aid packages, and then make your decision by the reply date (typically May 1)

Rolling Admission - where institutions have a large window to submit an application instead of a hard deadline and applications are evaluated as they are received, with decisions released based on when you submitted your application.