Lesson 2: College Application Deadlines
By: Zaynah Danquah, a 24/7 Instructional Design Superstar
Prefer to listen to this lesson? Click below:
Workshop Scenario:
Please think of yourself in the following scenario as you complete this workshop.
You are a high school senior. College application deadlines are approaching, and you have no idea where to start. You’ve reached out to the 24/7 Teach team to learn the basics of the college application process.
You are confident that, by the end of 24/7 Teach’s college application workshop, you will be able to understand the application process and how to get started.
After the first lesson, you are relieved to understand the basics of the college application and the application process. But you don’t know when applications are due or even where to find then. Your next step is to learn the types of application deadlines and where to find college applications.
Your Objective:
By the end of this lesson you should be able to explain the following:
The 3 types of application deadlines
Where to find a college’s application
Important Questions to Answer While Reading:
In order to be successful in this lesson, you must be able to answer these important questions.
What are the are the types of college application deadlines?
Where can I find college applications?
Lesson 2:
Where do I find the college application?
You can usually find the application link or paper application information on the school's website or by contacting the admissions office directly. Most colleges and universities have an online application process. In addition to applying online, some schools may allow you to request a paper application. Some colleges use resources, such as the Common Application, the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success (CAAS), and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
When are college admissions deadlines?
College admissions deadlines vary depending on the specific college or university, as well as the type of application (early decision, early action, regular decision, etc.). It's important to check the admissions deadlines for each college or university that you are interested in applying to, as they can vary significantly.
Early Deadlines
Early decision and early action are two options that some colleges and universities offer to applicants. These early deadlines are typically in the fall of the student's senior year of high school. These options allow students to apply to a college or university earlier than the regular decision deadline, which is typically in the winter or spring of the student's senior year of high school.
Here's the main difference between early decision and early action:
Early decision: With early decision, students apply to a single school and agree to enroll if they are accepted. Early decision is a binding agreement, which means that students are committed to attending the school if they are accepted. Students can typically only apply for early decision to one school.
Early action: With early action, students apply to multiple schools, but do not have to commit to any of them until the regular decision deadline. Early action is non-binding, which means that students are not required to attend the school if they are accepted.
Both early decision and early action allow students to apply to college earlier than the regular decision deadline, and they may receive a decision from the school earlier as well. However, early decision is a more binding commitment, so it's important for students to carefully consider their options before applying.
Regular Decision Deadlines
Regular decision is considered the "default" option for college admissions, and most colleges have a regular decision deadline that is later than the early decision or early action deadlines, typically in the winter or spring of the student's senior year. When a student applies through regular decision, they are usually informed of the college's admission decision at the same time as all other applicants who applied through regular decision. With regular decision, students typically have more time to research and apply to colleges than with early decision or early action options, but also have to wait longer for a decision. This provides a student with a clearer picture of their admission prospects, as well as the option to compare offers from multiple colleges before making a final decision. It's also important to note that there may be additional deadlines for financial aid and housing applications, as well as deadlines for submitting transcripts, test scores, and other required materials. It is recommended to start your college search and application process early so that you have plenty of time to research schools, complete the application, and meet all of the deadlines.
Rolling Admissions
Rolling admissions is a process in which colleges and universities review and accept applications on an ongoing basis, rather than all at once after a single deadline. In other words, rather than having a specific deadline by which all applications must be submitted, rolling admissions schools will continue to review and accept applications as long as space is available.
There are a few key points to keep in mind when applying to a college or university with rolling admissions:
1. Apply early: Because rolling admissions schools will continue to review and accept applications until all available spots are filled, it's a good idea to apply as early as possible. This will increase your chances of getting accepted and may also give you more time to prepare for college.
2. Check the deadlines: While rolling admissions schools do not have a single application deadline, there may still be deadlines for certain materials, such as transcripts, test scores, and financial aid applications. It's important to check these deadlines and make sure you meet them.
3. Monitor your application status: If you apply to a rolling admissions school, you may be able to check your application status online. This can give you an idea of where you stand in the admissions process and whether you are likely to be accepted.
4. Be prepared to make a quick decision: If you are accepted to a rolling admissions school, you may need to make a decision about whether to attend relatively quickly. Be sure to consider all of your options and think carefully before making a commitment.
Find a College Application Deadline
Go to the Amherst College admissions page for first year applicants: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply/firstyear
Identify which types of application deadlines mentioned above are used by Amherst College: early action, early decision, regular admission, or rolling deadline?
Check your answer below.
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Amherst College has an Early Decision deadline in addition to the Regular Deadline.
Remember that Early Decision is binding, meaning that you can only apply for one college’s Early Decision process, and if accepted, you must accept this offer and withdraw your early action or regular decision applications to all other colleges.
Closing Assessment:
Now that you have reached the end of this lesson, you should know the following:
The 3 types of application deadlines
Where to find a college’s application
Superstar Challenge:
Take your skills to the next level with the Superstar Challenge below!
Objective:
Analyze and evaluate the characteristics of a college to determine whether it would be a good fit for you based on your interests and goals.
Discussion Question:
Show your knowledge and connect with the 24/7 Teach community by sharing/posting your discussion question responses in the comment section below.
Other than academics, describe the characteristics of your dream college or university and why those characteristics are important to you. For example, you may have a preference for the following:
a) student-teacher ratio (the average number of students in a course per teacher),
b) types of extracurricular activities offered,
c) location (city vs. suburb, close vs. far from home, etc.)
d) surrounding community
e) or something else
or try a prompt below!
