Early decision, early action and regular decision

Early decision (ED)

Early decision is binding. You apply to one university early, and if you are admitted you agree to enroll and withdraw your other applications. The usual exception is financial: if the aid offered does not make attendance possible, you may be released from the agreement.

Some universities offer a second round, early decision II, with a deadline in January. It is binding in the same way.

Early action (EA)

Early action is not binding. You apply early, hear back early, and still have until May 1 to decide. You may apply early action to several universities.

Restrictive or single-choice early action

A few universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford, use restrictive early action. It is not binding, but it limits where else you may apply early. Each university publishes its own rules.

Regular decision and rolling admission

Regular decision is the standard plan, with deadlines usually in January and decisions in the spring. Under rolling admission, a university reviews applications as they arrive and admits students until its class is full, so applying sooner is better.

Choosing a plan

Apply early decision only to a university you are certain you would attend, and only after using its net price calculator to estimate what you would pay. Early action carries no such commitment.