When making your application, you need to decide which type of application you intend to make to each institution.
Regular applications
This is the normal application process. Deadlines for submission are typically in January to early March depending on the institution, but you can submit your application as soon as you are ready, once admissions are open.
You can apply to as many institutions as you like, although many college counsellors recommend applying to a maximum of eight. Universities usually have an Admissions Committee which reviews all the applications and provides decisions in March to April.
Some institutions use a process called rolling admissions, where they will consider your application as soon as they receive it and provide a decision within a few weeks. They generally keep admissions open until they have filled all their places, so this is a useful option for students who have missed the earlier deadlines. Universities usually explain their process on their websites.
Early decision
You can only apply to one university in this way, so it must be your first choice anywhere in the world. The deadline for applications is usually 1 or 15 November depending on the institution. You, your school and your family have to sign a declaration that you promise to enrol at this university if offered a place. You receive a decision by mid-December, meaning that you have enough time to make a regular application to other institutions if necessary. If your application is successful, you must withdraw any applications you have made to other institutions.
Early action
This follows similar deadlines to the early decision route but decisions are not binding. This means you are not obligated to enrol at the university if you are offered a place. Some universities will only consider your early action application if you have not applied to any other institution in this way (e.g. Harvard and Yale). The advantage of early action is that your application is considered with a smaller group of applications than in the regular application pool.