SMU and TCU will be adding new options to their respective applications beginning this fall.

Students will now be able to select an Early Decision option, in addition to the Early Action option.

Early Decision is an option used by universities nationwide. It is a binding application process that allows students to indicate that a certain university is their number one choice.

“As both SMU and TCU rise in academic profile and selectivity, students are eager to demonstrate their commitment to attend,” SMU Dean of Undergraduate Admission Wes Waggoner said.

“These are very popular schools right now for high school seniors throughout the United States.”

Students who choose to apply as Early Decision applicants are those who are prepared to make a contractual commitment to attend that university.

The Early Decision option allows students to apply to only one school as a Early Decision commitment.

Students who select the Early Decision option are guaranteed to hear back from the school no later than Jan. 1, in order to apply to other schools if necessary.

Students at both universities will still have the option to apply Early Action, which is non-binding.

Early Action provides students with the university’s decision early in their senior year, but, unlike Early Decision, does not require an immediate commitment.

SMU will also offer students the option of Early Decision II. This second-round option allows students to express their commitment to SMU later in the application process.

SMU and TCU are not the first Texas schools to offer the Early Decision option. Rice University and Trinity University offer it as well.

The entering classes of 2014 at SMU and TCU will be the first to have the chance to utilize the Early Decision option.