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Getting ready to apply to college? Aside from the obvious decisions you'll have to make regarding which school, what major, how you'll pay, and if you can really leave your best friend behind, there may be a decision you're forgetting: What type of admission will you choose?

Yes, you do have a choice, four of them, in fact: There's early admission, early action, regular, and rolling admissions.

early decision: According to one director of admissions, this option is best suited for "a student who is motivated to furthering their education, and serious about academics," especially since their GPA and test scores must be at an all-time high. Early decision is considered the most difficult type of application, and the one with the most stringent requirements -- you can't apply anywhere else until you're turned down, and if you are accepted, you must enroll. That means, your tuition deposit will be due way earlier than other students, often before you receive notice of your financial aid award package. (The up-side: When the first financial aid consideration day comes around -- March 1st -- early decision acceptees receive preference since they've already made their decision.)

Early Action: If you're serious about your college choice, but early decision's commitment quotient scares you off, you may want to opt for early action instead. You'll have to meet the same Deadline as early decision applicants (mid-December), but upon notification of acceptance, you do have a choice. "Early action gives you more leeway, since you're not required to accept admission or submit a deposit until the regular reply date," state the authors of The College Handbook 2000 (The College Board, 1999). And, you can apply to other schools and then compare the financial aid award packages you'll receive in order to help you make your ultimate college decision.

Regular/Rolling Admission: Regular admissions requires you to apply by a set deadline, which varies from college to college (often beginning in mid-February). Rolling admissions, on the other hand, is a no-deadline option. Both regular and rolling admissions afford ample time for you to weigh your offers and options.


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Gina LaGuardia is the Editor-in-Chief of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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