Generally, there are four different types of deadlines among colleges:
Not all colleges follow the same deadlines and decision dates. So, it is vitally important to contact each college to confirm their deadline date. Then put the deadline in your calendar.
Early: Most colleges require applications for early action or early decision by November of an applicant’s senior year (12th grade).
Regular: To meet a regular decision deadline, student applications must be submitted in January or February of the applicant’s senior year.
See the chart below for a simplified calendar view of the most relevant months for a student application and a college decision during a student’s senior year:
| AUG -SEPT | OCT | NOV (actual dates may vary) | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR – MAY |
| Start Senior Year *See NOTE | Early Action or Early Decisions | School Decisions on Early | Regular Applications | Decisions on Regular Apps |
*NOTE: Colleges typically start accepting applications on or about August 1.
“Rolling Decisions”: Some schools allow applications and decisions to occur throughout the school year.
More detail is provided below:
| TYPE OF APP | DEADLINES | DESCRIPTION | ADMISSION DECISION |
| Early Action: | Between November 1st and November 15th. | “Early” means prior to the regular admission process. A college may review and make a NONBINDING commitment to admit you. Some schools require your commitment to that college (single choice). That means if they accept you, you agree to attend that college. | December |
| Early Decision (Binding) | Between November 1st and November 15th | At least 6 months prior to the deadline of your colleges of interest, examine their scholarships and programs. The application deadlines may coincide with the regular admission deadlines, or thereafter. | Mid-December |
| Early Decision (Binding) | January 1st, January 15th | This is generally the same as the above Early Decision, only later timetable from the school. | Unlike the Early Action process, which does not commit the school to accept you (nonbinding), this process does bind the school and means it will commit to accept you. So, be careful to commit to only one college under the early Action or Early Decision process. |
| Regular Decisions: Common Deadlines | January 1st through February 15th | Typically used for most students. If you miss this deadline, consider colleges with a “rolling” deadline (discussed next). | March through April |
| Rolling Deadlines | September 1st | Some colleges allow you to apply whenever you want, without a fixed deadline. | Until the class is full. |
| Priority Deadlines: | November 1st through February 1st, | Some schools say they will give a student serious consideration if they apply by these dates. The deadline for a student to apply could be earlier than the deadline for early, regular, or rolling admissions. Nonbinding on the student. | Prior to other types of admissions deadlines. |
| OTHER NOTABLE COLLEGE DEADLINES | |||
| Financial Aid | The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens for students on October 1st and closes on June 30th. As with rolling admissions, completing the FAFSA earlier is better, as applicants may have a financial aid package earlier or have more significant opportunities for scholarships, helping them make a college choice sooner. February 1st is the priority deadline for the FAFSA. | ||
| Scholarships/ Special Programs | At least 6 months prior to a deadline of your colleges of interest, examine their scholarships and programs. The application deadlines may coincide with the regular admission deadlines, or thereafter. | ||
| Portfolios | In certain specialized institutions, a portfolio may be required (e.g., artwork). Typical deadlines for such items are a month prior to the application deadline and are subject to faculty review. |
Documents Required by the School:
Regardless of the deadline, colleges generally require the same level of documentation as noted below. Again, each college may vary in that regard. But typically, the colleges require the following:
- The application itself (including personal statement essay)
- High School Transcript
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- A resume
- Standardized Test Scores (although several colleges no longer require or accept those scores, so check with your college of interest).
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