What’s the deal with all these deadlines?

Ever  wondered  why  US  Universities  have  multiple  application  submission deadlines? What do they mean? Who should apply to each of these deadlines? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

A binding application submission, usually including a signed statement by the student and the school personnel submitting official documents (the Counselor or the Principal/AssistantPrincipal), stating that if admitted to the university, the student agrees to matriculate at this university and withdraw all other pending applications. Students may only submit ONE ED application during an admissions cycle.

Students  who  have  ONE CLEAR   FIRST   CHOICE school,  where  they  would 100% like to attend if they got in.

Students  who  do  not  have  a strong  Financial  Need.  ED packages  are    usually  less competitive than their EA and RD counterparts.

Students who have all of their standardized   test   scores, letters  of  recommendations, essays, and other application materials ready early.

An early deadline that allows students  to  submit  multiple applications and receive their admissions  decisions  before the regular deadlines (usually by  December).    Some  REA schools  limit  the  number  or types of additional applications that students can apply to.

Students who have all of their standardized   test   scores, letters  of  recommendations, essays, and other application materials ready early. Students  who  would  like  to receive   their   admissions decision  much  sooner  than the   usual   decision   time (usually March-April).

An  ongoing  application  cycle that allows students to submit applications  as  and  when they   are   ready.   Rolling admissions  schools  usually provide   decisions   within certain    time-frames    of receiving   the   application. Some  competitive  academic programs  and  scholarships may  have  earlier  deadlines, so  students  should  review individual  requirements  and deadlines within the university. Often times, applying early to a rolling admissions university means  better  chances  of admissions/scholarship.

Students  who  have  all  their application materials in place. Rolling  admissions  tend  to remain  open  until  after  the regular  decisions  have  been announced, allowing students to generate and submit “last-minute” applications to universities of their choice.

A  regular  deadline  with  little to   no   restrictions.   Most university applications are available in early August, with regular admissions deadlines between Dec 15 and Feb 15. Admissions decisions are normally released between late-February to mid-April.

Anyone  can  apply  for  this deadline.    Some  programs and  scholarships  within  the university may have additional  criteria  or  earlier deadlines  for  submission  of certain  documents.  It  is  best to consult individual university websites.