The college admissions process is full of jargon, and nowhere is that more evident than in the alphabet soup of decision plans – ED, REA, EA, RD, Deferral, WL. Understanding what these acronyms mean and how they impact your strategy can make all the difference in navigating the process effectively.

Early Decision (ED): The Binding Commitment

Early Decision is for students who are confident about their top-choice school and are willing to commit if accepted. Applying ED (or ED1) can give you a competitive edge, as acceptance rates tend to be higher, but it comes with the trade-off of having to withdraw all other applications upon admission. Financial aid considerations should be weighed carefully, as you won’t be able to compare offers from different schools.

Early Decision II (ED2): A Second Chance at Commitment

ED2 is a second round of Early Decision offered by some schools, such as Johns Hopkins, for students who were not ready to commit in the first round or who were deferred or rejected from their ED1 choice. It carries the same binding commitment as ED1 but allows students more time to strengthen their application while still benefiting from a higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision.

Restricted Early Action (REA): The Middle Ground

REA, sometimes called Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA), allows students to apply early without a binding commitment, but restricts them from applying ED or EA to other private institutions. Schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale use this model to encourage applicants who are genuinely interested while still allowing them flexibility in the decision process.

Early Action (EA): The Non-Binding Advantage

Unlike ED, Early Action is non-binding, meaning students can apply to multiple schools early without the obligation to commit. This option allows students to receive admissions decisions sooner, providing peace of mind and the ability to compare financial aid offers before making a final choice.

Regular Decision (RD): The Traditional Route

RD is the most common application path, with deadlines typically in January and decisions released in March or April. While it doesn’t carry the advantage of early admissions rates, it allows students more time to refine their applications, improve test scores, and strengthen their profiles.

Deferral: The Second Chance

A deferral means that a student who applied in an early round (ED, REA, or EA) is neither accepted nor rejected but instead moved into the Regular Decision pool for further review. This is not a rejection—it’s an opportunity to strengthen your application by submitting new achievements, an updated letter of interest, or additional recommendations.

Waitlist (WL): The Uncertain Path

Being waitlisted means the school found your application strong but did not have enough room in the admitted class. Students on the waitlist may be admitted later if spots open up, but this is highly unpredictable and varies by school and year. If waitlisted, students should express continued interest in a written form and consider other offers while waiting for a final decision.

Crafting Your Strategy

Choosing the right admissions path depends on your confidence in a school choice, financial considerations, and risk tolerance. ED works well for students who are certain of their top school, while EA provides flexibility with an early response. ED2 offers another opportunity for students who need more time but still want a competitive advantage. RD allows for more time to strengthen applications, while deferrals and waitlists require persistence and follow-up.

The right strategy here has the potential to amplify your chances at getting admission to the university of your choice by 4X. Understanding these acronyms isn’t just about decoding letters, it’s about making informed decisions that shape your college journey.

At Future Forward, we help students and families navigate these choices strategically, ensuring that every application maximizes potential while maintaining flexibility. Learn how.