Early Decision (ED)

Students make a commitment to a first-choice institute where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll.  While pursuing admission under an Early Decision plan, a student may apply to other institutions, but may have only one Early Decision application pending at any time.  Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an early award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the office of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment.  Usually a non-refundable deposit must be made well in advance of May 1.  The institute will respond to an application for financial aid at or near the time of an offer of admission. Early Decision I and II have different deadlines; and students cannot apply to both at the same time due to binding agreements. 

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Restrictive Early Action (REA)

Students apply to an institution and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response. This type of application may appear to be the same as Early Decision, however, a student is “not bound” to the college. Students may not apply ED or EA to any private college or university. 

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Early Action (EA)

Students apply to an institution and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date.  Students who are admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1.  Under Non-restrictive Early Action a student may apply to other colleges.

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Rolling Admissions (RA)

An institution reviews applications as they are completed and renders admission decisions to students throughout the admissions cycle.  A student may apply to other institutions without restrictions. 

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Regular Decision (RD)

A student submits an application to an institution by a specified date and receives a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time. A student may apply to other institutions without restrictions.

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Priority Application 

A student will submit an application to an institution by the designated deadline as an indication that this university is their top choice. In most cases the student may not apply to another private school under an early decision plan. They may apply to public schools under early action. 

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Subject to the changing admissions protocols, students are strongly encouraged to contact admissions representatives and college websites for specific information regarding their programs’ applications. MJtestprep Consultants can aid your student in determining which application type is right for them.