College Application Deadlines:
Regular Decision, Early Decision, and Early Action

Navigating the college application process can be tricky. Here are a few things to know:

What’s the difference between Early Action and Early Decision?
Both of these are processes in which a student applies to a college early (usually by the start or middle of November) and hears back from the college early (usually sometime in December).

Early Action is non-binding. If you are accepted, you may choose whether or not to attend. You may apply to as many colleges as you want through their Early Action policies. It is essentially the same as Regular Decision, but you apply earlier and hear back earlier.

Early Decision is binding. If you apply to a college and are accepted through an Early Decision process, you must attend (barring financial complications). You can only apply to one college Early Decision.

Should You Apply Through Early Action or Early Decision?
Early Decision: Only if you are certain this particular college is your first choice. If you are accepted, you will have to attend.
Early Action: Absolutely! There's no downside.

What is Early Decision I and II?
Some colleges have two separate rounds of Early Decision. Both operate exactly the same, but ED II occurs later than ED I, giving students more time to decide if the college is truly their first choice.

What is Rolling Admission?
Rolling Admission means there is no specific deadline to apply, and no set timeline for decision notifications. The college will process applications as they come in and get back to you with decisions along whatever timeline they want.=

What does the chart below show?

Column 1: College Name.
Column 2: Early Action Deadline Date. This is the date all Early Action applications are due.
Column 3: Early Action Notification Date. You’ll find out about your Early Action admission by this date.
Column 4: Early Decision I Deadline Date. This is the final date all applications are due for the Early Decision I process.
Column 5: Early Decision I Notification Date. You’ll find out about your Early Decision I admission by this date.
Column 6: Early Decision II Deadline Date. This is the final date all applications are due for the Early Decision II process.
Column 7: Early Decision II Notification Date. You’ll find out about your Early Decision II admission by this date.
Column 8: Regular Decision Deadline Date. This is the final date all applications are due.
Column 9: Regular Decision Notification Date. All Regular Decision applicants will find out their admission decision by this date.

All dates refer to the month and day. All occur during a student's senior year of high school. Use the table below to search your colleges or sort by college name.

Last updated: 1/6/21.