UVa to offer 'early-action' admissions

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - The University of Virginia is planning to adopt a policy that allows high school seniors to learn before the national notification date whether they've been admitted to the school, yet doesn't commit them to enrolling.

U.Va. admissions dean Greg Roberts discussed the "early-action" plan Tuesday at a Board of Visitors meeting. The policy will take effect in fall 2011, and give seniors the option of applying "early action" by Nov. 1, 2011. The students would receive an admission decision before the April 1, 2012, national notification date. Students can apply to other schools and have until May 1, 2012, to decide where to enroll for the 2012-13 school year.

University officials said in a release that U.Va. will continue to offer its regular admission plan.