As you familiarize yourself with the college application process, you will notice several different types of admission deadlines. Many have rolling deadlines, which are all year round, but a select few have an early action or early decision deadline.

First, the similarities. Early action and early decision deadlines are often months before the regular deadline. More times than not, choosing to apply at this earlier date qualifies you for scholarship consideration and first dibs on things like housing, classes and other forms of financial aid.

Next, the difference between the two. When applying to a school that is early decision, if you are accepted, you are bonded to attending that school. To differ, early action does not bind the student to that school and is just an earlier notice that the student was accepted or denied.

Some schools with Early Action deadlines coming up are:

University of Florida – November 1 (for application), November 15 (for materials)

Florida State University – October 15 (for application), October 22 (for materials)

University of Central Florida – October 15 (for application), November 1 (for materials)

Some schools with Early Decision deadlines coming up are:

New York University – November 1

John Hopkins University – November 1

Brown University – November 1

Schools with Rolling Admissions:

American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Savanna College of Art and Design

When doing your research on your dream college, make sure to pay attention to the type of application a college has.