Although a few high profile colleges dropped their early decision programs in the past year, early admission continues to be an option at about 400 colleges. While there are variations, early admission comes in two basic flavors: early decision (ED) and early action (EA). Some colleges offer both ED and EA, and some offer only one.

• Early Decision: If you are admitted you must attend, provided the college meets your calculated financial need. You can apply ED to only one college.
• Early Action: If you are admitted, you are not required to attend and you don't have to tell the college whether you plan to attend until the regular deadline. You may usually apply EA to more than one college.

For both EA and ED, applications are generally due by November 1, with decisions coming in December. Some colleges offer a second round of EA or ED with applications due by the regular deadline, but earlier notification dates.

With both types of early admission, you are free to apply for regular admission anywhere else. If you are admitted early decision, you must withdraw your other applications.

If you don't get in early, the college may reconsider your application for regular admission.

Are you a good early decision candidate?

• Are you absolutely certain about your college choice? You'll have no chance for second thoughts if you are admitted.
• Is financial aid a big consideration? If so, ED is not a good option. If the college gives you aid to cover your "official" financial need, you must attend — even if you don't think it's enough. You lose the opportunity to compare offers from other colleges, which could be more generous.
• Are your qualifications through junior year strong enough? You can take (or retake) SATs/ACTs in the early fall, but your senior course grades won't be considered. If you have the potential to significantly strengthen your qualifications in the fall, consider waiting to apply.

Are you a good early action candidate?

There are few risks associated with applying EA since it gives you an early decision and allows you to consider all admission and financial aid options before making a commitment, but keep the following in mind:

• Is the college one of your top choices? Applying early action is one way to show your interest.
• Are you prepared? As with early decision, your qualifications must be strong and you must be ready to submit your applications in the fall.

At some colleges, applying early appears to boost admission chances. This may be because students applying early are more qualified; or it may be that colleges are more interested in students that appear to be more interested in them. Either way, applying early will not advantage you if you are not otherwise well qualified for admission. Use our College Match College Profiles to find out more about early and regular admission deadlines and admission rates.

single-choice early action?

Some colleges have stricter rules for students applying early action. A common variation is single-choice early action, which prohibits students from applying early decision and sometimes early action to other institutions. But you don't have to commit if admitted and you're free to apply anywhere else via regular admission.

If you are soon to be a senior, it's not too early to start looking for scholarships.

Here are a few tips to help you find ones you qualify for.

• Search, search, search! Use the CollegeData free Scholarship Finder. It includes scholarships from thousands of funding sources worth more than $2 billion! Enter your GPA, gender, ethnicity/heritage, state, religion, college locations, and areas of study — these are among the most common scholarship eligibility criteria. You can (and should) also search using relevant keywords. See the keyword help for instructions. The ways to be eligible are almost infinite — for those who really look!
• Plan ahead. Most private scholarship application deadlines fall between February and May, after admission applications are due. Notifications usually come in the spring and early summer.
• Identify your strengths and unique qualities. What are your talents and interests? Are you considering a certain major or career? Have you shown a commitment to community service or leadership? Any of these areas could help you qualify for scholarships.
• Hunt down local scholarships. Identify businesses, groups and individuals who want to support local students. Ask your counselor for help. Other resources include the local chamber of commerce and library. Don't overlook your employer or your parent's employers and organizations you and they are affiliated with.
• See what the colleges offer. Check with the financial aid offices at the colleges you are considering to find out what scholarships are offered, the requirements, and how to apply.
• Find out what your state offers. Many states award grants and scholarships to state residents, although you may have to attend an in-state college to qualify. Ask your counselor or check the website of your state's department of education for details.
• Watch out for scholarship scams. Usually these services will ask for money before they help you. Don't pay to get scholarships or scholarship information! There are ample free resources to help you.

a renewable scholarship?

A renewable scholarship is one you continue to receive each year, as long as you maintain your eligibility. For example, you may have to earn a certain GPA and/or attend more than half-time. Non-renewable scholarships award you money only once.

Many students begin researching colleges by exploring college websites and sifting through the many college brochures and emails that arrive daily. All this information can start to blur. There's nothing wrong with taking a break and daydreaming a little. Your imagination might help show you the way!

Let's say you are producing a film about your future life in college. How about making a preview? Let's say it opens with you (of course, you are the star!) walking the campus of your future college.

• What do you see? Grey historic halls — and yes, are they ivy covered? Modern, edgy architecture? Busy urban streets? A green quad full of students? An inviting library with cozy nooks, perfect for studying? Beautiful sorority and fraternity buildings? People your age or different ages? Diverse faces? Or...
• What do you hear? A small group of students hotly debating bio-ethics? People talking and laughing loudly as they pass? Or...
• Where are you headed? A lecture by a Nobel-prize winning professor? A stimulating small group seminar? An exciting sports event? A meet-up with a bunch of your friends to head out for some fun — and what to you plan to do? Are you going to the country, the city, or the mall? Or...
• Time for your close up. Your face shows you are feeling pretty smug about something. You realize you have made a great choice in your college because...

Ah, the suspense of the preview. It won't tell you out how it turns out! But the movie better be highly intriguing to its audience of one — you.

If your preview is a little dull, what would you change? If it seems hazy, what aspects of college life bear more real-life investigation? If something seems to be missing from the experience, what is it?

Find out about the various features that can influence a college experience. Visit some college campuses. Replay your preview from time to time. You may be surprised to find that it changes over time.

a college that is a "good fit"?

You might hear people talk about finding a college that "fits" you. This doesn't mean that your future college should necessarily fit like a comfy shoe. Rather, it should be an environment which has the right ingredients to help you thrive. Students at colleges that "fit" report that they feel at home on campus. The faculty and majors provide the academic path they need. The teaching style suits the way they learn. Other students feel like potential friends. Campus activities are appealing. The environment feels both natural and stimulating. Your potential to succeed in every way is greater at a college that's a good fit. As one student put it, "My college challenges me to become the person I want to be."