Submitting your application within the deadline is the single most important part of the admissions process. Taking the time to put together an outstanding application, complete with a brilliant personal essay and impressive recommendation letters is futile if you don’t send your application in on time. Very few colleges, if any, will even bother to look at any applications that come in after their due dates. So, when do you need to start applying for college? Here are the college application deadlines you need to know about!
Common College Application Timelines
Here’s a quick look at the various types of applications and their common deadlines. Keep in mind that not all schools adhere strictly to these dates. Some colleges and universities have much earlier or much later due dates. You’ll want to check out your college’s application page to learn more about their specific procedures.
Understanding these deadlines is important for staying organized and ensuring that all materials, such as test scores, recommendation letters, and essays, are submitted on time. Missing a deadline can mean missing out on an opportunity to attend a top-choice college.
| Application Type | Common Deadline(s) | Expected to Hear Back |
| Early Decision | November 1 or 15 | Mid-December |
| Early Decision II | January 1 or 15 | Mid-February |
| Early Action | November 1 or 15 | Mid-December |
| Early Action II | January 1 or 15 | Mid-February |
| Regular Decision | January 1 | By early-April |
| Rolling Admissions | Until seats fill up or classes start | Rolling |
| Major-Specific | November 1 or 15 | Mid-December |
Types of College Application Deadlines
The five main types of college application deadlines are Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, rolling admissions, and major-specific. However, very few schools offer all five.
Early Decision
If a student knows they want to attend a specific school, they may be able to apply through Early Decision. Early Decision is considered “binding,” meaning if you’re accepted, they expect you to attend. You’ll be able to get out of the contract if you’re not offered enough financial aid to attend. Backing out because you simply decide not to go can have ramifications for other college applications and could result in fines.
As a result, you can only apply to one school under Early Decision. Colleges share lists, and you could lose out on acceptance letters to both if you’re caught.
Students submit applications sooner and receive answers about admission faster. Early Decision applications are usually due on November 1 or 15, but some can have deadlines as soon as October 15. Students can expect to hear back by mid-December. Deposits are due shortly after.
Some schools also offer Early Decision II, which is a second round of this application type. Its deadline usually matches the Regular Decision deadline – January 1. Students should hear back by mid-February.
Early Action
Early Action also allows students to apply to a college sooner and hear back faster, but without the “binding” aspect. It’s ideal for students who are confident on where they’d like to attend, but still want to keep their options open.
Generally, you can apply to several schools under Early Action. However, if your college has “Restrictive Early Action (REA),” it means you can only apply to that single school through Early Action, but you’re not required to attend if you’re accepted.
Early Action deadlines are usually November 1 or 15. Expect to hear back mid-December. A handful of colleges also have Early Action II, with a January 1 deadline and expected reply by mid-February. You likely won’t have to make a decision on whether to attend until May 1.
Regular Decision
Most students will apply to a college under Regular Decision. You can apply to as many schools as you’d like. With a later deadline of January 1 or early January, Regular Decision applicants have plenty of time to work on their essays, retake the ACT or SAT, and fine tune their application. Some schools even have Regular Decision deadlines going into February.
Students tend to receive admission letters starting in mid-March. You should have a reply by late April. You’ll need to notify the college of your decision and submit a deposit by May 1.
Rolling Admission
Rolling admission colleges accept applications until classes are about to start or until all the seats are full, whichever comes first. Some even accept applications two weeks into the fall semester. Many community colleges operate on a rolling admissions cycle, but some 4-year colleges and universities do, too.
However, many rolling admission colleges have priority deadlines, usually January 1 or in mid-spring. This means, if you have your application in before that date, you’ll be more likely to receive an acceptance letter (and financial aid package) than a student who submits after.
The school sends out acceptance letters on a rolling basis, which means the earlier you apply, the sooner you’ll hear back.
Major-Specific
Some majors, such as theatre, music, and engineering, require separate applications in addition to a regular application. These programs are usually highly competitive and have earlier deadlines. If you’re applying to a competitive major, you’ll likely need to have your application in by the school’s Early Action or Early Decision due date.
When you hear back depends on the program and the school. For example, theatre applicants may have to submit additional materials or attend interviews and might not hear back until mid-January as a result.
How To Know Which Is Right For You
Not all admission choices work for students. Here are some examples of when a college admission choice is the right option for you.
- Early decision: You’re 100% confident this college is the one for you.
- Early action: You’re pretty sure this college is the one for you and/or you want to receive a response faster.
- Regular decision: You think this college is a good choice or it’s a safety school. You might also apply under Regular Decision if you want more time to complete your application or take the SAT/ACT.
- Rolling admissions: You think this college is a good choice, you didn’t get accepted to your other options, or it’s a solid safety school.
- Major-specific: You have your heart set on a very specific major.
What Should You Do If You Miss a College Application Deadline?
If you missed a college application deadline, try to reach out to the school’s admissions department as soon as possible. Some will accept a late application, but be polite when requesting the accommodation. Kindness will go a long way, and rudeness could result in a rejection even if they do accept your late documentation.
However, some schools, no matter the reason, won’t accept late applications. If you’re in this boat, try finding colleges that have later deadlines or rolling admissions. You can always apply to the school next year and transfer if you’re accepted.
When Should You Start Preparing for College Applications? The Timeline
You should start preparing for college applications several months before the application due dates. The earlier you begin preparing, the more time you’ll have to research schools and work on strengthening your academic and extracurricular profile.
Junior Year
The groundwork for college applications should ideally begin in junior year. This is when you should begin researching potential schools and making a note of admission requirements, deadlines, and application expectations. You can change the list later, if necessary, but starting now will give you a better idea of the many different things you need to do to stay organized.
Junior year is also the time to start preparing for standardized tests. Take practice tests and enroll in prep courses or work with a tutor if you need additional help to improve your scores. Most students take their first SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year, giving them time to retake it in the fall of senior year if needed.
Last but not least, junior year is also the time to get involved in extracurricular activities if you haven’t already. Colleges look for students who demonstrate overall personal development through activities outside the classroom. Participating in meaningful activities, whether in sports, community programs. Clubs, or volunteer organizations, can help strengthen your college application.
Summer before the senior year
You should have finalized your college list by the summer before your senior year. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to start drafting customized personal statement and application essays for each of the colleges on your finalized list. If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet or you need to retake it, use this time to study and prepare.
By the time senior year begins, you should have a solid plan in place. The early months of senior year should be dedicated to finalizing your applications, requesting recommendation letters, and submitting standardized test scores. This will ensure that you stay organized and don’t miss anything important.
Tips for a Smooth Application Process
With so many different things to keep track of, staying organized is key to navigating the college application process efficiently.
These tips will help you stay on top of things and ensure a stress-free experience:
- Use a checklist to stay organized – Your college application checklist should include application deadlines, financial and scholarship deadlines, required documents, and essay requirements for each college on your shortlist.
- Seek guidance from counselors, teacher, or mentors – Guidance counselors, teachers, and trusted mentors can provide valuable insights and advice throughout the process. This could be in terms of college selection, feedback on essays, writing recommendation letters, or any other aspect of college applications.
- Apply to a mix of reach, match, and safety schools: A balanced college list with a mix of reach, match, and safety schools ensures you have multiple options. This allows you to make the best decision based on acceptances, financial aid packages, and personal preferences.
When applying to a college, always try to get your application in as soon as possible. Even if you have until January 1 to submit your documents, don’t wait until December 31. College websites can have technical issues as students rush to send in their applications, and delays could mean they don’t receive yours.
Before you can apply to schools, you need to know which ones are right for you. College Raptor’s College Match helps you uncover personalized college matches, acceptance odds, and more. Start here for free.
