A plan offered for applicants who are sure of the college they want to attend. Students will apply in November or December (dependent on the college) and will be notified by January 1st. An acceptance requires a commitment on the part of the student. This is a binding decision. If the student were deferred, he/she may be considered again later with the regular applicant pool.

An option that students should use only if they are positive that a place is their dream school. If a student applies to a school using the early decision option and is admitted, they are required and bound to attend that university. Admission rates are usually higher with early decision students because the school knows that a student is making them their first choice.

Making a decision on whether to admit a student sooner than decisions are usually made. Offered by some schools primarily as a service either to students applying to several schools, or those who are especially anxious to know the outcome of their application.

Early decision plans are offered applicants who are sure of the college they want to attend and are likely to be accepted by that college. An early decision application is initiated by the student, who is then notified of the college's decision earlier than usual, generally by December 15th of the senior year. Early decision applicants agree to accept the offer of admission if they are chosen.

A program that allows students to apply early to a college (usually November) and be notified of an admission decision in December rather than April. This is a binding agreement. You may apply to only one college early decision, and if admitted you must withdraw any other pending applications (and not submit new ones) and agree to attend the school. A student, parent and/or a counselor may be required to sign a form indicating that the student understands the terms of the early decision agreement.

An application process early in the senior year, which allows a student to receive an early response. A student who applies for early decision is obligated to attend that school and retract all other college applications.

The application process in which the student makes a commitment to the university, that, if admitted, the student will enroll.

A first choice school in which the student agrees to enroll if accepted. Information on financial aid will not be available this early, so you must be willing to commit without knowing how much (if any) financial aid you will receive.

Students who apply under early decision commit to enroll at the college if admitted and offered a satisfactory financial aid package. Application deadlines are usually in November or December with a mid-to-late December notification date. Some colleges have two rounds of early decision. See the Early Decision/Early Action table for details.

Sometimes confused with Early Action, the Early Decision plan allows students to apply to an institution early in the senior year, also between October 30 and January 15, and request an early notification of admission. The student and guidance counselor sign a contract with the school at the time of application that indicates that if accepted, the student is obligated to attend that institution. Some colleges and universities offer both ED and EA options.

A program with earlier deadlines and notification dates than the regular admissions process. Students who apply "early decision" commit to attending the school if admitted. (Early decision can be use for only one school.) The student will not know what financial aid will be awarded before committing.

A binding admission plan that requires an early application (typically October or November) and promises a reply by December or January. There are two types of ED plans: (1) Single Choice, in which the student is allowed to apply to only one college and (2) First Choice, in which the student may apply elsewhere but agrees to withdraw other applications if accepted by the ED school. This plan is recommended only if the applicant is absolutely sure of his or her college choice. If accepted, the student is ethically obligated to attend if sufficient financial aid is offered.

binding plan for early notification. If accepted, the student agrees to attend and to withdraw all other applications.

The application process in which students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the early decision commitment.

Some colleges offer the option of an early decision to students who meet all entrance requirements, are certain of the college they wish to attend and are likely to be accepted by that college. Students participate in the Early Decision plan by indicating their desire to participate on their college application. The decision regarding admission is made by mid-December of the student's senior year in high school, as opposed to the regular admissions notification of mid-April. A drawback of the Early Decision program is that students will have to commit to a school before they find out about the financial aid packet. A student can apply early decision to only one school.

An admission application option in which a student files for admission to his/her top choice college early in the senior year (sometimes as early as October but usually no later than the beginning of December) under the guiding principle that the student will be bound to attend that college if accepted.

A program that gives special consideration to a student who applies for admission by a specified date, usually in early fall. Students are obligated to enroll if admitted, and to withdraw applications from other institutions. Read about early decision.

A system whereby a student applies to one school, with the understanding that if admitted, she will attend that school. In exchange, the school makes an admissions decision by December 1, rather than in the spring. Once an option used only by a few, applying for Early Decision has become more common.

A system in which applicants apply earlier than the posted deadline, and, if accepted, withdraw all other applications and agree to enroll at the university.

An admissions plan that allows you to apply before the normal deadline and receive the college's decision within a short time. If you are accepted on this plan, you are obligated to enroll at the college and must withdraw other applications. Some colleges have Early Decision I and Early Decision II plans. Note special rules about applying to other plans.

Through this program offered by many colleges and universities, students willing to commit to a school if accepted submit their application by a date well before the general admission deadline. If accepted, the student must enroll in that school, so students should only apply early decision to their first choice school.

An admission program with earlier deadlines and earlier notification dates than the regular admissions process. Students who apply through an early decision program commit to attending the school if admitted. (Thus, a student can apply early decision to only one school).

Early decision is a common early admission policy used in college admissions in the United States for admitting freshmen to undergraduate programs. It is used to indicate to the University or College that the candidate considers that institution to be his or her top choice. Candidates applying early decision typically submit their applications by the end of October of their senior year of high school and receive a decision in mid-December.