What is the difference between applying Early Decision to William & Mary and applying Regular Decision?

Question

I’m a high school senior trying to figure out if William & Mary is a realistic first-choice school for me. I keep seeing people talk about Early Decision, but I want to understand what that actually means compared to applying Regular Decision.

I’m mostly confused about how the commitment part works and whether applying ED changes what options I would have afterward.

I’m mostly confused about how the commitment part works and whether applying ED changes what options I would have afterward.

Accepted Answer

At William & Mary, Early Decision means you are applying under a binding agreement, while Regular Decision is nonbinding. If you apply ED and are admitted, you are expected to withdraw applications from other colleges and enroll at William & Mary.

Applying ED can also change your timeline. If you are denied, that is final for that cycle.

With Regular Decision, you keep more flexibility. You can apply to multiple schools, wait for all your decisions, and compare cost before committing anywhere.

So if William & Mary is truly your first choice and you are comfortable with the binding nature of the agreement, ED can make sense. If you want to keep your options open afterward, especially around finances or other college choices, Regular Decision is the safer fit.

What is the difference between applying Early Decision to William & Mary and applying Regular Decision?

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