College Application Deadlines: A Complete Guide for Students and Parents
Navigating college application deadlines can feel overwhelming. From Early Decision (ED) to Rolling Admission, this guide breaks down the pros, cons, and strategies for each option—including what to do if you’re deferred from Early Decision or Early Action.
1. Regular Decision (RD)
Deadlines: December 1–February 1 (varies by school; UC schools: November 30)
Decision Notification: March–April
Commitment: Non-binding
Pros:
More time to refine applications, improve grades, or retake standardized tests
Compare financial aid offers from multiple schools
Apply to unlimited colleges
Cons:
Competitive pool (most applicants apply RD)
Decisions arrive later, leaving less time for making your choice and planning
Best For: Students unsure of their top choice or needing more time to prepare
2. Early Decision I (ED I)
Deadlines: November 1–15
Decision Notification: Mid-December
Commitment: Binding (must attend if accepted)
Pros:
Higher acceptance rates
Early certainty about college plans
Cons:
No ability to make financial aid comparisons so make sure you have run the Net Price Calculator and know the estimated Cost of Attendance
Penalties for backing out (possible revoked admission by other colleges)
Best For: Students with a clear #1 choice and confidence in affordability
3. Early Decision II (ED II): A Strategic Second Chance
Deadlines: January 1–15
Decision Notification: Mid-February
Commitment: Binding (must attend if accepted)
Why Choose ED II?
Improve your application with senior fall grades or retake standardized tests
Ideal if rejected/deferred from ED I or need more time to confirm college fit
Admissions Advantage: ED II acceptance rates are often 2–3x higher than RD (e.g., NYU’s ED II rate: ~18% vs. RD: 8%)
Who Should Consider ED II?
Students needing more time to strengthen their profile
Those seeking a “second chance” after an ED I rejection/deferral
Applicants who discover a new top choice later in the cycle
ED II Pitfalls to Avoid:
Binding commitment requires withdrawing other applications if accepted
Confirm affordability using Net Price Calculators before applying
4. Early Action (EA)
Deadlines: October 1– November 15
Decision Notification: December–January
Commitment: Non-binding
Pros:
Early admission decisions without commitment
Competitive acceptance rates
Cons:
Not as advantageous as Early Decision in terms of acceptance rates
Restrictive EA (REA): More like Early Decision - Schools like Yale prohibit applying EA/ED elsewhere
Best For: Organized students ready to submit strong applications early
5. Rolling Admission
Deadlines: Applications accepted September–July (until spots fill)
Decision Notification: Within 4–8 weeks of submission
Pros:
Flexible timelines
Less pressure (decisions arrive quickly)
Cons:
Scholarships/aid may diminish over time
Best For: Students applying later or seeking backup options
Deferrals: What Happens If You’re Deferred from ED/EA?
A deferral moves your application to the Regular Decision pool. While frustrating, it’s not a rejection! I will be sharing a full blog post on deferrals and waitlists later this month.
Why Colleges Defer Students:
Compare applicants to the RD pool
Wait for senior-year grades or additional materials
Next Steps if Deferred:
Find out if the College Would Accept a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI): Reaffirm commitment and update achievements since your initial application
Submit Mid-Year Grades: Strong senior-year performance can boost your profile
Consider ED II: Consider switching your EA application that was deferred to an ED II application
Final Thoughts
Early deadlines (ED I, ED II, EA) offer strategic advantages, but RD and Rolling Admission provide flexibility. If deferred, stay proactive—many students gain admission later! For personalized guidance, schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can work together to craft a deadline strategy tailored to your goals.
