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How to Figure Out What Deadline is Right For You

Two dreaded words spread fear through all high school seniors–college applications. Those two words are enough to send any high school senior into a tizzy–gathering letters of recommendation, filling out the Common App, researching schools to apply to, filling out the FAFSA, and that’s only the first five. But, before you start all that, you need to decide what type of application deadline is right for you.

One of the most important choices a high school senior needs to make is what kind of application to fill out. The most common application types are “early decision”, “early action”, “regular decision”, and “rolling”. Many people, including senior, Lexi Yoxall, believe that applying “early” is the right choice. 

You can only apply “early decision”,  to one school, because if you are accepted, you are bound to attend that school.

“Early action”, on the other hand, is non-binding, which means you are free to fill out as many early action applications as you wish to. 

“I feel colleges pick “first come first serve,” stated Yoxall. “So if they see your application first and it looks good they’re going to pick you, versus if someone else has a similar application and applies later.”

While applying early can be a great idea, there must be a distinction between the types of early applications. 

Applying early isn’t for everyone though. Sometimes it takes longer to figure out which colleges to apply to or what major to choose. In this case, “regular decision” is a great choice, as it gives a longer time to decide where  to go and what to do as most regular decision applications are due in January.

If January is still too early, then there’s also “rolling applications”. Rolling applications don’t have any concrete due dates besides a couple of weeks before move-in, so it’s a great option for those last minute deciders.

No matter which type of application you choose, it’s important to remember to make the college application process the least stressful as possible by staying organized and prepared.

 

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Early action schools:

  • Yale University
  • Fairfield University
  • Sacred Heart University 
  • University of New Haven

 

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Regular Decision:

  • University of Connecticut
  • Central Connecticut State University

 

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Rolling:

  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • University of Saint Joseph

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Jess Vardon

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