Early Decision II (ED II) is as binding as the first round: an admitted student must enroll and withdraw all other applications. The difference is that the deadline moves to January. Among the seven colleges compared here, Lehigh University and Macalester College close ED II on January 1, while Colgate University and Lafayette College close it on January 15. For Irvine seniors who submit the University of California application by November 30 and receive first-round early results in mid-December, ED II is one more binding application still available.
Early Decision II: What Happened
Sunday, November 1 is the Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Action deadline at many colleges. Some students do not apply Early Decision in this round, and others are denied or deferred in the first round; colleges that offer ED II give these students a second opportunity. The admissions pages agree that the main difference between ED II and ED I is the deadline, while the binding terms are the same. Bates College states that its two Early Decision rounds form two separate applicant pools reviewed separately; Bucknell University states that both rounds are binding, with three possible outcomes: admission, a move to Regular Decision or denial.
What Early Decision II Means for Irvine Families
The University of California application closes on November 30, has no early round and is not binding. The Irvine application season therefore often falls into three stages: private college early applications around November 1, the University of California application by November 30 and private college Regular Decision applications in early January. ED II deadlines fall in the third stage, on or within a few days of the Regular Decision deadline, so the writing load does not grow much, but the student signs a binding agreement.
ED II suits two groups of students. The first group receives a denial or deferral from a first-round Early Decision school in mid-December and needs to choose a new first choice. The second group has not settled on a first choice in the fall and wants to apply after first-semester senior grades are available.
Early Decision II Dates at Seven Colleges
| College | ED II deadline | Financial aid deadline | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh University | January 1 | January 15 (CSS Profile and federal tax forms) | Mid-February |
| Macalester College | January 1 | January 8 (financial aid priority) | January 31 |
| Skidmore College | January 8 | January 15 | Mid-February |
| Bucknell University | January 10 | Not listed on the admissions page | Mid-February |
| Bates College | January 10 | Not listed on the admissions page | By February 15 |
| Colgate University | January 15 | January 15 | Mid-February |
| Lafayette College | January 15 | January 15 (CSS Profile and FAFSA) | Mid-February |
Several details deserve attention. The ED II reply date is February 15 at Macalester College and late February at Skidmore College, so families have only two to three weeks after admission to compare financial aid offers. Skidmore College also requires ED II applicants to submit quarter grades by January 22. Lafayette College requires first marking period senior grades from applicants in both Early Decision rounds, and students denied in ED II may not apply Regular Decision.
Switching to Early Decision II
Students who have already submitted a Regular Decision application can switch to ED II without reapplying, but deadlines differ by college:
- Bates College: a Regular Decision applicant who switches to ED II must file the Early Decision agreement by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1 and receives a decision by February 15; a switch from Regular Decision or ED II to ED I must be filed by December 1.
- Lafayette College: students who submitted a Regular Decision application by January 15 may convert to ED II until February 1.
- Bucknell University: students who decide after submitting a Regular Decision application that they want to change to ED I or ED II may use the Common App or Coalition Early Decision agreement.
A switch still requires the student, a parent and the counselor to sign the Early Decision agreement, and it is as binding as a direct ED II application.
EDUBUS Recommendations on Early Decision II
Settle on ED II candidate colleges before mid-December. First-round results usually arrive in mid-December, and the earliest ED II deadline in the table is January 1, leaving about two weeks that overlap with winter break. Starting supplemental essays from scratch after results arrive leaves little time.
Estimate costs before signing the agreement. ED II financial aid deadlines mostly fall around January 15, and the reply window after admission is short. Families that need aid should estimate costs with each college’s net price calculator before applying and submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the deadline.
Treat first-semester grades as part of the application. Skidmore College and Lafayette College both require ED II applicants to submit senior grades. One reason to choose ED II is to let colleges see more of the senior year, so first-semester final exams should be treated as application material.
Only one active Early Decision application is allowed at a time. Bates College states that Early Decision applicants may not apply to other binding Early Decision programs. Bucknell University states that a first-round applicant moved to Regular Decision is no longer bound by the Early Decision agreement. Before submitting a new ED II application, confirm that the first-round result is a denial or deferral and check the original college’s rules on binding status after a deferral.
For the differences among early application plans, see the four types of early application; for first-round Early Decision details at individual colleges, see the briefs on Bucknell University and Lafayette College. For college lists and application rounds, see the EDUBUS university admissions planning service; for ED II supplemental essay revision, see the college essay bootcamp.
Sources
- Lehigh University: Application Requirements & Deadlines (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Lehigh University: Apply (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Macalester College: Dates and Deadlines (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Skidmore College: Apply to Skidmore (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Bucknell University: Apply to Bucknell (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Bates College: Application Options (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Colgate University: Apply (accessed October 30, 2026)
- Lafayette College: Early Decision Applicants (accessed October 30, 2026)
- UC Activities and Awards: How to Fill 20 EntriesUC applications close November 30. Activities and Awards allows 20 entries in six categories and is locked after submission. Here are the rules and writing tips.
- Common App Before Early Deadlines: Five ChecksEarly deadlines arrive November 1. Common App counts 11:59 p.m. in the student's time zone, and submitted applications cannot be changed. Five checks for Irvine seniors.
- UC, CSU, Private Colleges: Three Applications ComparedUC and CSU applications close November 30; most private early deadlines fall on November 1. A comparison of dates, fees, essays, recommendations, and testing.
- Recommendation Letters: Four Steps for IUSD SeniorsEarly deadlines begin in mid-October. MIT and Stanford require two teacher letters; the University of California accepts none at application. Rules by college.
