College Application Deadlines to Keep in Mind for 2023 Admission

College Application Deadlines: Thinking of When your college application is due? If you are not careful and focus on your goal, you might miss your most important college deadlines.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into researching, visiting, and applying to colleges. In the midst of all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook a little but essential detail: Your “college application deadlines”.

To avoid delays and completely missing out on chances, it’s critical to be aware of the deadlines at the individual universities or programs you’re interested in.

I’m very sure you must have heard the popular saying “Timing is Everything”. This is especially true throughout the college application process.

The process sometimes takes months, if not years, to complete, from taking the SAT, writing your personal essay, submitting your Common App, and requesting recommendation letters.

So, when should you complete assembling all of your application documents and submit them to colleges? That is entirely dependent on your deadlines.

Nonetheless, this article will go over the various college application deadline possibilities, as well as step-by-step directions on how to keep track of them all.

First and foremost, you need to understand the different types of deadlines colleges use.

What are the Types of College Application Deadlines?

There are four(4) types of college application deadlines that can be employed by any college. Thus, When planning to apply to a school, thoroughly research each school’s policy. Nonetheless, before making a choice of the school you want to apply to, be sure you understand the rules as well as the pros and cons of the type of deadline the school is using.

There are thousands of colleges in the United States, each of which may provide one or more of the following application deadline options:

1. Regular decision (RD),
2. Early action (EA),
3. Early decision (ED), and/or
4. Rolling admissions (RA). 

The first three options have set deadlines while rolling admissions is the odd one out with a range of time within which a student must apply.

Some early action schools place restrictions on your applications to other colleges. The early decision involves a binding contract in which you promise to enroll in the school if you get accepted.

This guide will go into greater detail about your application timeline below, but first, let’s take a look at the most common college application deadlines 2022-2023 and popular schools that have them, beginning with the regular decisions.

What Is Regular Decision?

Regular admission is the most common option for college admissions and has one of the most recent application deadlines.

The majority of students apply for a college regular decision option. These are the college application deadlines you’ve probably heard about. Regular decision deadlines are often in early January.

January 1 is the most usual RD deadline.

January 15 is also a popular date. The University of California system is one notable exception to the January deadline.

The UC application deadline is November 30th, which is very early. Some schools can have late deadlines in February, March, or April.

Many students prefer regular admission since it allows them more time to compile all of the necessary materials for their applications. Test results, recommendation letters, essays, SAT scores, and financial assistance information is all included.

Missing the application deadline can be because of delays and this may force you to begin college later than expected.

In rare situations, you may be required to complete a portion of your application prior to the final RD deadline. For example, if your school requires or advises an interview, you may schedule one ahead of time.

Most of the time, you’ll submit a full application in January and then hear back in March or April. You may receive numerous offers from other schools because you can apply to as many schools as you wish under regular decisions.

When you apply for RD, you are not restricted in any way, unlike some of the other admissions alternatives.

Look no further if you’re looking for the NYU application deadline or the Stanford application deadline. Some popular colleges’ RD deadlines are listed below.

Regular Decision Deadlines of Popular Schools

School	Regular Decision Deadline
American University	January 15
Boston College	January 3
Boston University	January 4
Bowdoin	January 5
Brandeis	January 1
Brown	January 5
CalTech	January 3
Columbia	January 1
Cornell	January 2
Dartmouth	January 3
Duke	January 4
Emory	January 1
Georgetown	January 10
Harvard	January 1
Johns Hopkins	January 3
MIT	January 1
New York University	January 5
Northwestern	January 3
Princeton	January 1
Stanford	January 5
Tufts	January 4
UNC-Chapel Hill	January 15
University of California	November 30
University of Chicago	January 4
University of Michigan	February 1
University of Notre Dame	January 1
University of Pennsylvania	January 5
University of Southern California	January 15
University of Virginia	January 5
Vanderbilt	January 1
Villanova	January 15
Wellesley	January 8
Yale	January 2

What Is The Early Action Admission Deadline?

Early action college application deadlines are similar to early decision deadlines. The main distinction is that you are not compelled to attend a specific school simply because you were admitted through early action. It allows you to apply early without making a large commitment. Applying for early action to your top schools and using normal admission for other possibilities may be a good idea.

Early action accelerates your deadline and notification by a few months. November 1 and November 15 are the most usual EA deadlines. You’ll find out in December, possibly before you’ve even submitted your RD applications!

You could be accepted or refused under early action. A third option, peculiar to early admissions, is to be deferred. If your application is deferred, it is placed in the regular candidate pool and will be reviewed again later.

A few universities have a limited or single choice early action program that precludes you from applying to more than one school through EA. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, and the University of Notre Dame are among these universities.

Early action has no limits other than the occasional one choice EA program. If you are offered a position based on your EA application, you are under no obligation to accept. You have until May 1 to decide and submit your decision, just as you did with your RD schools (and deposit).

Waiting until May 1 to select your college enables you to gather all of your acceptances and compare financial aid offers. This chance is not available if you apply early decision, as you will see below. Before we get into how ED varies from EA, let’s look at several popular early action schools and their deadlines.

Early Action Deadlines of Popular Schools

School	EA Deadline
CalTech	November 1
Georgetown*	November 1
Harvard*	November 1
MIT	November 1
Stanford*	November 1
UNC Chapel Hill	October 15
University of Chicago	November 1
University of Michigan	November 1
The University of Notre Dame*	November 1
University of Virginia	November 1
Villanova	November 1
Yale*	November 1

Note: When it comes to early action and early decision, most schools offer one or the other, though a few, such as UChicago, offer both. Much of what was true for EA applies to ED, with one important exception: early decisions are binding contracts.

What Does The Early Decision Admission Deadline Mean?

When individuals state that an early decision is binding, they’re referring to the contract you and your school counselor, as well as a parent, sign when you apply for ED. In this contract, you agree to enroll in the school if you are accepted.

You’re declaring that the school is your top choice and that you’re certain you’ll attend if accepted. If you apply to ED and are accepted, you will send in your deposit and withdraw any previous applications you have made to other schools.

Is this to say you shouldn’t apply for ED if financial aid is important to you? No, not always.

If you have a dream school and want to express your passion by applying to ED, I recommend consulting with its financial aid office about the application process. Do they address every demonstrable need? Is it possible to renegotiate if your offer falls short of your expectations? Before entering into a contract that you may be unable to complete, make sure to answer these critical questions.

The major element that distinguishes ED from EA is the binding agreement you get into with it. Otherwise, the deadlines and notice dates may be the same. You could submit your application by November 1 or November 15 and hear back in December.

Early Decision II is also available at some schools. ED II still requires a firm promise, but it moves the date ahead to January. Because early decision applications are prioritized, you should hear back in February.

The popular colleges that provide early decision and their ED I and/or ED II deadlines are listed below.

Early Decision Deadlines of Popular Schools

School	Deadline for ED I	Deadline for ED II
American University	November 15	January 15
Boston College	November 1	January 3
Boston University	November 1	January 4
Bowdoin	November 15	January 5
Brandeis	November 1	January 1
Brown	November 1	N/A
Colby	November 15	January 1
Columbia	November 1	N/A
Cornell	November 1	N/A
Dartmouth	November 1	N/A
Duke	November 1	N/A
Emory	November 1	January 1
Johns Hopkins	November 1	January 3
New York University	November 1	January 1
Northwestern	November 1	N/A
Pomona	November 15	January 8
Smith	November 15	January 1
Tufts	November 1	January 4
University of Chicago	November 1	January 4
University of Pennsylvania	November 1	N/A
Vanderbilt	November 1	January 1
Villanova	November 1	January 15
Wellesley	November 1	January 1
Wesleyan	November 15	January 1

So far, all of these application methods have strict deadlines. You must submit your application, test scores, and other documents on time. Late documents might harm or completely ruin your chances of acceptance.

In the world of college admissions, there is one more flexible option: rolling admissions. Schools with rolling admissions allow for a variety of times for apps to “roll in”—and notifications are typically spaced out across a few months as well.

What Is Rolling Admission and How Does It Work?

Rolling admission institutions allow you to submit your application over a longer period of time, usually six months or so, and examine applications as they come in.

If your institution has rolling admissions, you will have a certain amount of time to submit your application. This period usually lasts from the fall through the spring. For example, there is no explicit rolling admissions deadline for Penn State. Penn State opens its application on September 1 and accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Some institutions advertise rolling admissions (RA) but have a priority deadline in November or December. If you’re really interested in a school, you should make every effort to reach the priority deadline. This effectively converts your RA school into one with a deadline. But, at the very least, its rolling approach provides a safety net in case something unexpected occurs and you miss the priority filing deadline.

Even if your institution does not have a priority deadline, you should make one for yourself and submit your application as soon as possible. The RA process is done on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s always the chance that slots will fill up or become more competitive as there is less and less room for new students.

Aside from increasing your chances of acceptance, another motivator could be that the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll hear back. You may hear back within a few weeks of applying, or the school may send out notices on specific specified days throughout the application season. In any case, the sooner you submit your app to them, the sooner they can respond.

What’s Next?

You’ve seen that schools’ deadlines and policies differ after reading through these possibilities. Sometimes a school’s admission policy, such as single-choice EA, influences how you apply to other schools on your list.

As you go through the procedure, you want to be sure you’re not breaching any restrictions or messing up any important dates. How do you keep track of things with all of these dates and deadlines? check the common deadlines to have in mind.

Additional college Deadlines to Keep in Mind

You might get lucky and discover that all of your college applications are due on January 1. Or you may have a mix of dates, with a November deadline, some in January, and a couple that is rolling.

It is vital to keep everything documented and organized, and not simply so that everything is turned in on time. Your deadlines influence other steps in the college application process, such as when you should request recommendation letters and when you can take the SAT or ACT.

Many schools use the Naviance online system to keep track of your deadlines and requirements. Your Common Application will also list your college deadlines and the majority of the actions you’ve taken thus far.

Remember to write down all of your usernames and passwords for all of the accounts you’ll create—Naviance, Common Application, College Board—and store them in a safe place.

If you prefer to have a hard copy or to reinforce the deadlines by writing them down, you could also create your own list of colleges and deadlines, along with a checklist of what you need to do. Here’s what this would look like in its most basic form:

School	Deadline Option	Deadline
College 1	Regular	January 1
College 2	Restrictive early action	November 1
College 3	Rolling admissions	Apply by April (I’ll apply by January 5)*

When Should I Take the SAT or ACT To Meet Up with Deadlines?

If you’re submitting SAT or ACT scores with your college applications, bear in mind registration and testing deadlines. This entails locating local testing schedules and registering to take the test prior to college application deadlines. Many SAT and ACT registration deadlines are around a month before the test date, so you’ll need to plan early.

If you are applying regular decision, you may take the SAT or ACT for the first time in the fall of your junior year, followed by another test in the spring.

Because results take around three weeks to be announced, you may have a few more chances to take the tests at the beginning of 12th grade, such as in August, September, or November (or maybe December, depending on the admissions plan you choose).

If you’re applying early, your last chance to take the SAT or ACT will be in August, September, or October of your senior year.

Knowing your deadlines allows you to organize your testing and study schedule to guarantee you meet your SAT or ACT target scores in time to apply. This also applies to your recommendation letters.

When Should You Ask for Recommendation Letters?

Your letters of recommendation are a second component that demands considerable planning. You should consult with your teachers at least one month before the application deadline. It’s also a good idea to ask 11th-grade teachers how they remember you at the end of your junior year.

In addition to making the request, you should create a “brag sheet” or share thoughts with your teachers on what should go into your perfect letter of recommendation. This indicates that you’ve given some thought to what you’d most like admissions officers to know about you and your future ambitions.

If you want to apply for a normal decision, you should talk to your teachers in November of your senior year, if possible. Many teachers have quotas—they can only write so many letters per day. If you know your English teacher will be swamped with requests, for example, submit your request as soon as possible!

If you are applying for EA or ED, you should send out recommendation requests at the start of your senior year. Again, you may inquire near the conclusion of junior year and then follow up in the fall with a reminder. Finally, you’ll spend a few months before your application deadlines focusing on your personal essay.

When Should You Write Your Personal Essay?

I’m sure none of you have ever sat up all night writing an essay that was due the next day…or maybe you all have! But if there’s one essay you shouldn’t leave until the last minute, it’s your college personal essay.

Even though it’s a short essay—the Common App allows for a maximum of 650 words—it’s a significant effort. Actually, the fact that it is so brief contributes to its difficulty. In so few words, how can you zero in on a specific experience that exposes something distinctive and significant about your identity?

Because it is such difficult and so crucial in your college application, you should begin thinking about your personal essay as soon as possible. Some students switch topics multiple times before settling on the perfect one. Reading the prompts and thinking about them are both vital components of the writing process. Incubation will enhance your ideas. You could be out exercising or taking a shower when an interesting essay topic comes to you!

Aside from the ideation stage, drafting and revising take a significant amount of time. With only 650 words, you want to make sure you use the proper ones and communicate yourself as clearly, powerfully, and vividly as possible. You might also get input from friends, parents, and professors and incorporate their ideas into your article. Or not—it’s the voice and your narrative to tell, after all.

That being said, Other critical components of your application include any additional essays, delivering your transcripts, and, of course, the application itself. Take the time to fill out everything correctly and to write about your extracurricular activities in an appealing manner. Finally, proofread and double-check everything before hitting the submit button!

When is it Right to Start Applying For Your Financial Aid?

Officially, FAFSA due June 30, 2023. Each year when a student is in school, they need complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). While the FAFSA has deadlines, various schools have separate due dates for when they expect you to finish the form; a school’s FAFSA due date is often much ahead of the moment the FAFSA technically ends.

It’s also a good idea to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible because certain financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you miss a school deadline for submitting your FAFSA, you may not receive the funds you require for the upcoming semester in time to avoid late fees, or you may lose your chance to enroll in a class entirely.

Should I Start My Scholarships Application Early?

Another important College Application Deadlines is the applying for scholarships that you are eligible for. While some scholarships accept applications all year, many have strict deadlines. In addition to reaching the application deadline, some scholarships include eligibility criteria.

During your freshman and sophomore years of high school, it is not too early to begin exploring for scholarship options. This will allow you to complete requirements such as the required amount of public service hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Application Deadlines

Conclusion:

It’s never too early to start keeping track of critical dates and deadlines for your college search. Find a technique of organization that works for you, then jot down the important dates to begin started.

When it comes to individual colleges, make sure to verify with each one because each one is unique. Starting early and organizing your calendar will help take some of the stress out of your college search and allow you to focus on finding the best fit for you.

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