There are several different types of deadlines for consideration, and often at least two per institution: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling, and Priority. While there are general timelines for each type, specific dates vary by institution. These deadlines encompass all required application materials, including the application itself, transcripts, letters of recommendation, résumés, and standardized test scores (if applicable).
Regardless of the deadline type or timing, plan ahead. Deadlines are strictly enforced. Work on the essay writing and résumé, explore and fill out the online application, and connect with possible recommenders and school administrators to be ready to submit comfortably in advance of the deadline.
College Application Deadline Types and Dates
We’ve carefully verified the dates in this article, but please note that they are subject to change, so be sure to check your target school’s website.
Early Action
Common Deadlines: October 10th, October 15th, November 1st, November 15th, December 1st
Early Action (EA) allows students to apply early and receive a decision in early winter, but it is nonbinding, meaning students can still choose other schools. Variations include Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) and Restrictive Early Action (REA)—both of which limit students from applying to multiple early programs but remain nonbinding.
Examples of Early Action, Single-Choice Early Action, and Restrictive Early Action Deadlines:
- Georgia Tech (In-State) – October 15
- UNC Chapel Hill – October 15
- University of Michigan – November 1
- MIT – November 1
- Princeton (SCEA) – November 1
- Yale (SCEA) – November 1
- Stanford (REA) – November 1
Early Decision 1
Common Deadlines: November 1st, November 15th
Unlike EA, Early Decision (ED) is binding—students must attend if admitted. Applicants may apply to only one ED school.
Examples of November Early Decision 1 Deadlines:
- Brown University – November 1
- Boston College – November 1
- Tufts University – November 1
- University of Virginia – November 1
- Pomona College – November 15
- American University – November 15
- Sacred Heart University – December 1
Early Decision 2
Common Deadlines: January 1st, January 15th
For students who need more time but still want a binding commitment, Early Decision 2 functions similarly to ED1 but with later deadlines.
Examples of January Early Decision 2 Deadlines:
- New York University – January 1
- Bates College – January 1
- Smith College – January 1
- Johns Hopkins University – January 2
- Boston University – January 4
- Carleton College – January 15
Regular Decision
The majority of applicants to college submit their applications by the regular decision deadline. The regular decision deadline affords applicants more time to gather their materials and submit them. If this deadline is missed, there may be an opportunity to submit to certain schools with a rolling deadline or a later regular decision deadline. Below are examples of schools with regular decision deadlines in the winter months.
Common Deadlines: January 1st, February 1st, February 15th
Examples of Regular Decision Deadlines:
- University of California System – November 30
- Columbia University – January 1
- Harvard College – January 1
- Vanderbilt University – January 1
- Stanford University – January 5
- MIT – January 5
Rolling
Rolling admissions open as early as September 1st and remain open until all spots are filled. Some schools prioritize early applicants.
Examples of Rolling Admissions Schools:
- Penn State – Rolling
- Michigan State University – Rolling
- University of Minnesota – Rolling
- Indiana University Bloomington – Rolling
- Arizona State University – Rolling
- University of Pittsburgh – Rolling
- Kent State University – Rolling
Priority Deadlines
Some schools set Priority Deadlines for early consideration of applications, scholarships, or competitive programs.
Examples of Priority Deadlines:
- Eastern Washington University – February 1
- Brigham Young University – November 1
- Penn State University – November 30
- Texas Tech University – December 1
Other College Application Deadlines
Portfolios & Supplementary Materials
Students applying to arts programs may need to submit a portfolio before the main application deadline.
Financial Aid (FAFSA & CSS Profile)
- FAFSA Opens: December 2024 (TBA exact date)
- FAFSA Closes: June 30, 2025
- Priority FAFSA Deadline: February 1, 2025
Filing early increases access to financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Scholarships & Special Programs
Many scholarships require students to apply by the college’s priority deadline or shortly after acceptance.
When to Apply
The college admission process should start for applicants months before deadlines, identify schools of interest, and begin working on components of the application.
Although there are general deadlines for each type of application—early action in the fall, regular decision in the winter—identify the specific deadline for each institution. Whether applying for early action or early decision, aim to have materials ready by November 1st for early and for regular by January 1st.
Most decisions for early admissions are released mid-December and for regular decision and rolling, by April 1st. The national college decision deadline is May 1, 2025—this is when students must submit their enrollment deposit to secure their spot. If you need any additional assistance navigating the application process and these deadlines, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
All of our blog posts are written by Former College Admission Officers who serve as members of our admission consultant team.
