b'31UNDERSTAND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OPTIONS Option 3: Early ActionGenerally, there are four options for collegeEarly Action allows you to apply earlier toand admissions. The option you select will impact whenhear back sooner fromyour first-choice college. your application is due, when you find out if youApplications are usually due in early to mid-November. are accepted, and your ability to choose a schoolEarly Action is nonbinding, meaning it does not based on how much financial aid it offers. Optionscommit you to attend the school. It does tell theAPPLYING TO COLLEGEand deadlines vary by schools, so carefully researchschool you are very interested.the schools to which you are interested in applying.Option 4: Early Decision Option 1: Regular Decision Early Decision is an option reserved only for the Regular Decision is the most common admissionsschool you are certain is your best fitacademically, option and allows you to apply to as many schoolssocially, and financially. When you apply Early as you like and compare financial aid packages.Decision, you promise you will attend the college Applications are typically due between November andif admitted and withdraw all other applications. February. Decisions arrive between March and April. Early Decision lets you show your commitment to a school by applying by an Early Decision deadline Option 2: Rolling Admissions (often November 1 or 15, and sometimes January 1 Rolling Admissions applications are evaluated onfor an additional Early Decision II deadline). Most a first-come, first-served basis, until the school fillsschools provide decisions four to six weeks later.its first-year class. You will receive an admissionsEarly Decision and Financial Aiddecision within four to eight weeks of applying.If you are accepted Early Decision and the estimated Rolling Admissions allows you to apply to as manyfinancial aid package offered by the college at the schools as you want and to compare financial aidtime of your acceptance does not make that school packages. Most universities in the Pennsylvania Stateaffordable for you, you may forfeit your admission System of Higher Education use Rolling Admissions. and apply to other colleges. Remember, no college is your right fit if you cannot afford to go there.COMPARE ADMISSIONS OPTIONSFactors to Consider:Regular RollingEarlyEarlyDecisionAdmissionsActionDecisionAllows you to compare financial aid packagesXXX You hear back quicklyXXXTells a school it is your first choiceXDoes not require you to commit to one schoolXXXIncreases your chance of acceptance,if you are a strong candidateXIf you wait too long, all spots may be filledX'