Early Decision 2—or ED2—is, conceptually, the same thing as Early Decision 1. And it’s a great option for those who were just delivered a rejection notice or simply need more time to strengthen their GPA.

College application season can be stressful, and waiting for an acceptance letter can be painful. But Instant Decision Day is a quicker, and potentially less agonizing, way to get a quick answer on your college application.

Most schools only have a specific number of spots available to students, and the longer you wait, the more it’s likely these spots will fill up.

There are several types of early applications, including early action, restrictive early action, and early decision. How do you do know if any of these options are right for you?

Some college application deadlines have passed, but not all of them. See what schools are still accepting applications.

Here’s the difference between early action, restrictive early action, early decision, regular decision, and rolling admissions. With this information, you’ll be able to make strategic, informed choices about when to apply to each school on your list.

Should you apply to college early? Benefits and differences of early admissions. Learn why early decision is binding and early action is not binding.

What’s the deal with rolling admissions? Find out all you need to know.