Curious about Regular Decisions

Hey, I've been extremely stressed out about the whole college admissions process, and I'm just trying to understand the different types of decisions. Can anyone explain what regular decisions mean exactly? What should I keep in mind when pursuing this path?

Certainly, happy to help! "Regular Decision" is one of the traditional application plans colleges offer. It tends to have a later deadline, usually in January or February, compared to Early Decision or Early Action, which typically have November deadlines.

When applying Regular Decision, your application will be read and reviewed after the deadline along with all other Regular Decision applicants. Admissions decisions are often released between mid-March and early April, but this can vary by school, so you will want to check the specific dates for each one of your chosen colleges.

One of the benefits of Regular Decision is that it provides you with more time to gather all your application materials, finalize your list of colleges, and polish your essays. It also gives you the chance to include your first semester senior year grades, which can be beneficial if you're looking to boost your GPA.

Another important benefit is flexibility, you're not bound by any commitments as with Early Decision (which is binding) so you can apply to as many colleges as you want and if accepted, you typically have until May 1 to decide where you want to go. This is particularly useful if you want to compare financial aid offers from different schools.

Now, something to consider is that because the majority of students apply Regular Decision, it can be a bit more competitive than Early Action or Early Decision. Also, sometimes colleges fill a sizable percentage of their incoming class with Early Decision or Early Action acceptees.

Thus, it's crucial to make your application as strong as possible and aim to submit your materials well before the deadline. Remember to pay great attention to your essays, which can help you to stand out from the pool of candidates.

In summary, Regular Decision is a good fit for students who want a bit more time to prepare their applications, first semester senior year grades to be considered, and a lack of obligation to attend if accepted. Good luck with your applications!