Study in US: Which type of application deadline to choose?

By Iqra Khan

When you think of deadlines to US colleges, at first the thought of one date being the last application date comes to mind. American universities have a different understanding of the word deadline, they offer a variety of application deadlines. Most universities offer one early deadline type (early action, restrictive early action or early decision) plus regular decision deadlines. Since every university has different specifications, it is recommended to always check the university's admissions page for a complete understanding.

Type of Deadlines

1. Rolling admissions - Under rolling admission, candidates are invited to submit their applications to the university anytime within a large window. It usually lasts from August to spring, so you have the choice to start applying from the beginning of August the band admission decisions will be made on a rolling (continuing) basis. It is still suggested that applicants apply as early as possible, preferably October-November to have an advantage over other candidates. This type of deadline is non-binding and non-restrictive.
2. Regular decision – International students typically apply by January in anticipation of an admissions decision by April. This deadline is non-binding and non-restrictive as well. Students may apply to as many universities in the US under regular decision deadlines, as all the colleges offer regular decision deadlines.
3. Early action – Students who apply for an early action will submit their applications before the regular deadline and will be informed of their admissions decisions soon after (in January or February). This type of deadline is also non-binding and non-restrictive. International students may apply to as many universities in the US under early action policies.
4. Restrictive early action (for colleges like Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale) - Restrictive early application option is for students who are confident about above-mentioned colleges as their first choice. Applicants agree not to apply to any other private college under restrictive early action.  However, applicants may apply to other colleges and universities under the Regular Decision option. Generally speaking, you can only apply to one university restrictive early action, and this will be your only early application in the US. There may be exceptions in the university policy such as allowing you to apply early to state universities with a non-binding, rolling admissions policy or to universities where the university application is considered for scholarships must be submitted earlier than December.
5. Early decision - There are two early decision deadlines, first in November and the slightly less common one in January. These are more common at private liberal arts colleges. Like early action, first deadline students apply by November in anticipation of an admissions decision by December. Early decision applications are binding. The student, his school and his parents will sign an early decision agreement, certifying that the early decision university should be the first choice (worldwide) and if accepted, the student will withdraw all other applications (worldwide) and attend that university.

About the author:

Iqra is an education advisor by profession and likes to spend time reading different theories and arguments by six schools of Indian philosophy. She is a complete Bollywood movie buff, loves traveling and exploring new places.

Check out more on Studying in USA:

• Universities in USA
• Student Guide to USA
• US Student Visa Guide
• Scholarships to Study in USA
• Education Loan for Studying in USA