College can feel like a big puzzle to solve. Just how do you start this journey? There are different admission types to apply: regular admissions, rolling admissions, early decision, and action. The big question, however, is early decision vs. early action.
Early decision means that if a college accepts you, it doesn’t want to go anywhere else. And if they don’t take you, they may turn down your application or ask you to make a later decision. Early action is different–it’s not a guarantee. With this approach, you can apply to multiple colleges and only have to decide later.
Early decision and early action have deadlines in November, but you will know around December whether or not they accepted you. Early decision is great if you’re 100 % sure about a school, on top of your game at that school, and have the funds to pay for it.
But here’s the tricky part: Peak times differ from college to college, and criteria for admission also shift. Understanding the role of academic advisor is very important to know the process of admission to college. Some schools admit students in multiple ways, so choosing the right approach to apply is essential for your quest for a college.
Types of College Applications
Regular Admission
Regular admission is one of the traditional admission types that most students apply to colleges.
Process
If you apply for regular admission, you’ll first collect all your necessary documents–field trip transcripts, letters of recommendation from lecturers or mentors who know them well (usually two copies each), and test scores on self-structured examinations that they have devised and released themselves. These materials must be organized and submitted on time, generally around January or February for most colleges.
Review
After the deadline, colleges begin to review all applications together. Admission officers scrutinize each application, including the applicant’s academic record and other grades, extracurricular activities such as work experience or social engagement, the content of his essays, and the weight attached to letters of recommendation on behalf of university application types.
Decision Timeline
After a scrutiny of applications, the colleges start sending out their decisions. This usually takes place between March and May. The allotted period gives you a few months to consider the offers received and decide which college you will attend.
Rolling Admission
Rolling admission operates differently from the regular process as compared to other types of college admissions.
Process
In the rolling admission system, you can submit your application anytime. Generally, the application period begins as early as the fall semester and continues until all available places are occupied. Earlier applications mean earlier decisions, for colleges make theirs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Review
Applications are reviewed as they come in by colleges. After completing your application- all the required documents and information are submitted—admission officers go to work evaluating it.
Decision Timeline
Once your application is complete, you can make decisions quickly. Sometimes, you may receive a decision in as few as several weeks. Such a quick turnaround means an early response, so you can proceed with your educational plans without waiting.
Early Decision
The most secure and fast types of college admissions is Early Decision. It is for students who have a clear top-choice college.
Process
Early decision applications are made before the usual deadlines, usually in November. Once accepted through early decision, it’s a done deal to agree to go there, and any must be withdrawn-pending applications.
Review
Early decision applications are reviewed separately, with colleges acknowledging the dedication and commitment expected of applicants. Their candidates must meet their academic and personal requirements and give firm evidence of intent to enroll if admitted.
Decision Timeline
Most early decision applications get a response by December. This early reply allows successful candidates to go forward with their planning and arrangements in the confident knowledge that they have been admitted into college.
Early Action
Early action is similar to early decision but without commitment.
Process
It’s non-binding, unlike early decisions. Early action involves applying early, usually in November. If you are accepted through early action, though, then there’s no obligation to attend that particular college. And this leaves room for plenty of options before making a firm decision.
Review
Early action applications, like early decision ones. are usually treated differently from regular applications by colleges when reviewed. The international college counselors review these applications individually, considering each candidate’s proven interests and abilities.
Decision Timeline
Information about early action applications is normally sent by December. This early response allows applicants to look at their chances of acceptance without making any commitment. After receiving notices from several colleges, an applicant can still decide quite late which one he’ll attend in the fall.
It is a good choice if you want an early answer but, at the same time, wish to maintain some flexibility concerning other colleges and their financial aid packages.
Whether you owe one to yourself, in a word, which university application types is right for your situation depends on whether or not you’ve found the college of your dreams yet.
Suny Application VS Common Application
The SUNY (State University of New York) application and the Common Application are two distinct ways to apply to colleges, each with its own features and characteristics.
SUNY Application
- For SUNY Schools: The SUNY application is a particular application for the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
- SUNY Specific: With only one application, you can apply to several SUNY colleges.
- Supplemental Requirements: Some SUNY schools may supplement The main application form with extra questions or materials.
- School Specific: Some SUNY institutions accept only the SUNY application.
Common Application
- Widely Used: The Common Application is used by more than 300 colleges and universities spread throughout the U.S. and overseas.
- Multiple Colleges: You can apply to many participating colleges with one application.
- Standardized Format: Provides a standard for sharing personal information, essays, and recommendation letters between colleges.
- Not Universally Accepted: But not all colleges accept the Common App. Some have a separate application system of their own.
The SUNY application is for use at SUNY schools only, whereas the Common Application works with a broader range of colleges. Some schools may take both, and some will have their application procedure. To know which application to use, one only needs to check each college’s requirements.
To Conclude
College applications are made in different ways. Early application: Some let you apply early, some later. In the former case, if they accept you, you must commit yourself afterward.
One way or another, there are pluses and minuses.
For example, frequent application allows you time to prepare yourself; applying early may get the answer back promptly. Early choices only bind you if they accept, but early action gives you an out.
SUNY application vs Common application is also a different application form. Since some colleges use one and others both, it is essential to understand what each college wants.
Knowing these various uses thus allows you to select the one that suits you best. If you want to know what’s going on with a couple of colleges in advance or spend more time considering your options and seeing if anything else comes up, knowing how it works helps make wise decisions about the direction of one’s future education.
