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Key Takeaways
- Applying “early action” allows you to submit your application early, apply to multiple schools and leave your options open since your admission is not binding.
- You should only apply “early decision” if you are absolutely certain about the school you want to attend since admission acceptance is binding.
- If you do not apply early, you may apply during a school’s regular admission period. If you choose this route, you may apply to multiple schools simultaneously.
- Some schools offer a rolling admission system, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
The senior year of high school is filled with deadlines and decisions for college-bound students. Colleges and universities set their own deadlines to apply for admission, so it’s important to thoroughly research schools to learn more about their deadlines and application processes.
Many schools allow you to apply early by submitting your application materials by their early action or early decision deadlines. You also have the option to apply during the regular admission period, and some schools offer rolling admission, which provides a more flexible application timeframe. Each application type has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to understand them before starting the application process.
This article explores the different types of college application deadlines and provides an overview of the deadlines and types of admission for several popular colleges and universities. Keep reading to learn more about college application deadlines so you can prepare to get into the college of your choice.
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When Are the College Application Deadlines?
The information below reflects a general timeframe for typical college application deadlines and application decision dates. Keep in mind that these dates vary according to each educational institution’s timeline, so you may find schools with deadlines that fall outside of these ranges.
| Type of Application | Application Deadline | Application Decision |
|---|---|---|
Early Action | September to November | January or February |
Early Decision | September to November | December |
Regular Admission | January to February | Mid-March to Mid-April |
Types of College Applications
While many colleges and universities offer different deadlines for applying, they don’t all offer the same ones. Below, we outline common options for college application deadlines, along with brief explanations, to help you decide which option is best for you.
Early Action
Early action is when you apply to schools before the regular admission deadline but leave your options open. If a school accepts your admission, you may still consider other schools. This allows you to apply to multiple schools at a time and examine and compare financial aid packages, campus life, academic programs and other relevant issues that may influence your final decision.
Early Decision
Early decision means that you will attend the school you apply to if you’re accepted. This option is binding and only allows you to apply to one school at a time, so you should only choose it if you are absolutely sure about which school you want to attend. This shows that you are committed to the school and aren’t applying to others. If your application is not accepted, you may then apply to other schools.
Regular Admission
Regular admission means that you apply no later than the regular admission deadlines for colleges and universities. The regular admission date is later than the dates for early decision or early action admission. Applying by the regular admission deadline allows you to have more time to work on improving your GPA, write your admission essay, research financial aid packages or retake the SAT or ACT if needed. You may also apply to multiple schools during regular admission.
Rolling Admission
With rolling admission, schools evaluate admission applications on a first-come, first-served basis during a more lengthy application window rather than according to a set deadline. Schools that offer this application option typically make their decisions in about four to six weeks, and these offers are non-binding.
Open Admission
Choosing a school that offers open admission may be a great option if your GPA is a bit lower than average since many of these schools have lower GPA requirements. Open admission is common in many community colleges and online schools, so high school graduates or those with a General Educational Development (GED®) certificate are typically admitted.
Deferred Admission
Submitting your application by the early action or early decision deadlines doesn’t necessarily mean you find out if you have been accepted early. It’s common practice for colleges and universities to defer admission decisions for the final review period for students, even though students submit their applications early. If your admission is deferred, you may still be admitted after further consideration.
A deferred admission gives you more time to bring up your grades or test scores to be a more competitive applicant if you still want to attend the school that deferred your application. It also allows you to apply to other schools if you don’t want to wait for a final decision from the school that deferred you.
When Does Common App® Open for 2024?
Common App is a nonprofit organization that allows college applicants to connect with and apply to more than 1,000 educational institutions in the U.S. and 20 other countries. It simplifies and streamlines the college application process by providing a variety of resources and information in one place and allowing students to apply to colleges and universities through its online application platform. The 2024–2025 Common App launches on August 1, 2024.
College Application Deadlines for Fall 2024
While many college application deadlines for first-year applicants are similar, some may be earlier or later, depending on the school. Below, we list some top schools or school systems and their corresponding deadlines for first-year undergraduate applicants. Graduate programs may have different deadlines and requirements.
You may apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Educational institutions may have their own FAFSA deadlines. If applicable, we have included these deadlines in the table below.
| School | Early Action | Early Decision | Regular Decision | FAFSA Deadline | College Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of California | N/A | N/A | November 30 | May 2 | $80 |
California State University (CSU) | N/A | N/A | November 30 | March 2 | $70 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | November 1 | N/A | January 4 (regular action) | February 15 | $75 |
University of Southern California (USC) | November 1 | N/A | December 1 or January 15 (depending on major) | January 12 (early application) or February 7 (regular decision) | $85 |
Stanford University | November 1 (restrictive early action) | N/A | January 5 | Six weeks before the first day of the quarter | $90 |
New York University (NYU) | N/A | November 1 (early decision No. 1), January 1 (early decision No. 2) | January 5 | February 20 | $80 |
University of South Florida (USF) | N/A | N/A | November 1 (priority decision) | March 1 (priority deadline) | $30 |
University of Washington (UW) | N/A | N/A | November 15 | January 15 | $80 |
Harvard University | Restrictive early action: November 1 | N/A | January 1 | February 1 | $85 |
Arizona State University (ASU) | N/A | N/A | Rolling admission | March 1 | Arizona residents: $50, domestic nonresidents: $80, ASU Online students: $70, international students: $85 |
Florida State University (FSU) | October 15 (Florida students only) | N/A | December 1 | N/A | $30 |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) | October 16 (early action No. 1 for Georgia students), November 1 (early action No. 2 for out-of-state students) | N/A | January 4 | January 31 (priority deadline), February 15 (FAFSA-only deadline) | $75 (international students: $85) |
Florida A&M University (FAMU) | November 1 | N/A | April 1 | January 1 | $35 |
Yale University | November 1 | N/A | January 2 | ASAP after available in January or earlier (Yale does not require a FAFSA for a provisional decision on financial aid) | $80 |
University of Florida (UF) | November 1 | N/A | January 15 | ASAP after available | $30 |
University of Houston (UH) | N/A | N/A | June 2 | March 15 | $75 |
Purdue University | November 1 | N/A | January 15 | April 15 | $60 |
Should You Apply Early Action, Early Decision or Regular Admission for College?
When you should apply to college depends on when you are ready, how many schools you are considering and how much flexibility you have in your choice of school.
Early action allows you to apply early to multiple schools without making a definitive commitment to a specific school. Regular admission also allows you to apply to multiple schools at once according to their regular application deadlines.
You should only apply early decision if you are certain what your first choice is and don’t plan to apply elsewhere unless you don’t get accepted into your first-choice school. With early decision, you only apply to one school at a time, and your acceptance is binding, so you should be sure about your choice if you go this route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About College Application Deadlines
When are most deadlines for college applications?
Deadlines vary by educational institution, but most early application deadlines are in the fall. Most regular application deadlines are in January or February, but these deadlines range from as early as November to as late as June.
What is the latest date to apply for college?
The deadline to apply for regular admission varies but is typically in January or February. This deadline may be earlier or later at many schools, so it really depends on the school you choose. Some schools also offer open or rolling application deadlines, you may be able to apply later at these schools.
What time of year is too late to apply to college?
The time of year when it’s too late to apply depends on the school. For some schools, applying in the spring may be too late, but you may still be able to apply at schools with open or rolling admissions.
