From the Westminster College Parent Blog · [Caitlin DeSantis Rozzi, Associate Director, Admissions], Office of Admissions Reading time: about 4 minutes 

Every fall, families ask us the same excellent question: what's the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, and Rolling Admission — and does it actually matter which one my student picks? 

It matters. Not because there's a wrong answer, but because each plan comes with its own real benefits — and choosing well means knowing what's on the table. So, here's each plan, defined in plain English, with the perks spelled out. 

Early Decision — for students who are sure

Apply by November 1 · Deposit by January 15 

What it is: Early Decision says, "Westminster is my first choice, and if you admit me, I'm coming." It's a binding agreement — your student, a parent, and their school counselor all sign it. If admitted, your student agrees to withdraw their applications to all other colleges and commits to Westminster with a deposit by January 15. 

What it gets you: Early Decision students make a promise to us, so we make one back. At Westminster, that means: 

A stress-free senior year — they'll know where they're going before winter break, while classmates are still refreshing their inboxes in March 

Better odds — Early Decision applicants compete in a smaller pool, and their application leads with the strongest thing a student can say: this is where I want to be 

An answer — and a scholarship — by November 15, including their guaranteed merit award of at least $22,000 

First pick in housing, with priority status in the housing and roommate selection process 

The front of every line — early access to registration for Discovery Day, Accepted Student Day, and New Titan Day 

Early class schedule planning, plus a guaranteed top 3 pick for their Inquiry class, the small seminar every first-year Titan takes 

Invitations reserved for current students, including the Professional Networking Symposium (PNS) and the Undergraduate Research and Arts Celebration (URAC) 

The honest caveat: binding means binding. The only recognized exception is financial — if the aid award genuinely doesn't make attendance possible, students can be released from an Early Decision agreement. But that's a safety valve, not a loophole. Choose Early Decision because your student is sure about Westminster, and they aren’t just committing for the perks. (The perks are our thank-you for that certainty — not the reason for it.) 

Early Action — for students who are organized

Apply by December 15 · Deposit by May 1 

What it is: Early Action says, "I'd like my answer early, but I'm keeping my options open." Your student applies early and hears back early — with zero obligation. If admitted, they have until the national May 1 deadline to decide. 

What it gets you: 

• An early answer with total freedom — the peace of mind of an acceptance in hand, and months to compare offers from every school on their list 
• The $2,000 Early Application Grant — apply by November 1 and it's automatic, no extra form, no essay 
• Their merit scholarship right in the acceptance letter — real numbers for your family's planning, months before decision day 
• A head start on everything first-come, first-served — the earlier your student is admitted and deposits, the earlier they're in line for housing and event registration 
• A full financial picture before committing — for families who file the FAFSA, the complete aid award arrives by late February or early March, well before the May 1 deposit deadline 

Who it's for: most students, honestly. If your student has a strong record through junior year and wants an early answer without a binding commitment, Early Action is the sweet spot. 

Rolling Admission — for students who need the runway

Apply by March 1 · Deposit by May 1.  

What it is: Rolling Admission says, "I'm applying when I'm ready." Applications are reviewed as they come in, and decisions go out on an ongoing basis — no single make-or-break deadline.  (Note: Applications received after March 1 will be admitted based on availability in the first-year class.) 

What it gets you: 

• Flexibility — a hard course load, a sports season, a busy fall: life happens, and rolling admission forgives it 
• A fast turnaround whenever you apply — no waiting for a distant notification date; decisions go out as applications are reviewed 
• The same free, simple application — no fee, and just the application and a transcript needed for a decision  
• The same guaranteed merit scholarship — at least $22,000, renewable all four years, no matter when your student applies 

The fine print worth knowing: rolling doesn't mean wait. Housing, event registration, and financial aid planning all favor students who are in the door earlier — even within rolling admission, January beats March. 

If you remember nothing else about Early Decision, Early Action, and Rolling Admission, remember this. Each plan rewards something different — but every road leads to the same Westminster, the same scholarship, and the same people ready to help. 

Here it is in a nutshell. 

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