{"id":124775,"date":"2022-09-12T21:18:23","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T04:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=124775"},"modified":"2022-09-12T21:18:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T04:18:25","slug":"college-application-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/college-application-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Colleges and Their Application Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re applying for colleges, you probably have a lot of questions. When are college applications due? When do college decisions come out? How can I optimize my application? Your college application deadlines will depend on your application type and other factors such as your program and college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what post-secondary institution you\u2019re applying for, you should make sure you know the timeline for admission decisions. Read the guide below for college application deadlines and tips for your college application. As long as you meet the academic requirements and apply on time, you can get accepted into a good college<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Apply for Colleges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most important dates for college applications will be in the fall season before you would start your first year. Some college application deadlines are earlier than this, like the Common App, which opens on August 1st. However, students can create an account anytime during the year, so you have plenty of time to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many universities offer admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who submit an early application for admission have a better chance of getting in, so give yourself ample time. If you apply early, you might hear back from a school early, and you can have additional time to apply to other schools if you get rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a high school senior, you should start applying at the beginning of your senior year. Many people start in the 11th grade because the college application process can be lengthy. According to Statista, in 2020, there were \u200b\u200bnearly 19 million college students in the United States<\/a>. You should start early so you can stand out from the crowd and get an admission decision quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also think about financial aid when you start your admission application. You should fill in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, many colleges have different deadlines for scholarship applications. Your college experience will be much smoother if you keep track of application timelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Submit Applications to Colleges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple ways to apply to colleges, but most colleges follow the same application route. You will have to fill out an online application first. Then you can submit your official transcript, application essays, recommendation letter, and SAT or ACT scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you apply to a certain college, you should research the application process. Although the application procedure is similar, the process can vary. Some colleges accept applications through Common App, and others will require you to take extra steps. Read a detailed explanation below of how to apply to colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Common App<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Common Application is an online application that you can use to apply to many different schools. You can upload your list of documents to one place, which can save you time with your admission application. Once you create your Common App profile, you can upload information about your academic background and hobbies, as well as your test scores and grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are a first-time or transfer applicant, you should use Common App to apply. It lets you explore degree programs from over 1,000 colleges and universities in the US. This list of schools can help you narrow down your choices. It also has resources for everyone from freshman applicants to transfer students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply Directly to the School<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some colleges don’t use Common App, but don\u2019t let this affect your college choices. In this case, you will have to fill out an individual application form, which is usually available online. Similar to Common App, you will usually have to submit your high school diploma and other academic materials. You also might have to include letters of recommendation and application essays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying directly to the school is sometimes a good idea because you can access priority deadlines and speak with your academic department. The admission requirements can vary, and so can the college application deadlines. You can start exploring the process and learning about financial aid options by talking to your admission counselor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Are College Applications Due?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

College applications are due in the fall and winter before you would start your freshman year. This varies depending on the school and application type. The early action deadline and regular decision deadline will be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Common App opens on August 1st, so you don\u2019t have to worry about it before then. However, it is a good idea to start writing essays and making recommendation requests as early as possible. You can also give yourself time to get your grades up so your academic history looks as strong as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Types of College Application Deadlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most colleges in the US have multiple deadlines, which can be confusing. A university typically has five main application deadlines, though this varies depending on the school and the program. Before you apply, make sure you\u2019re familiar with the deadlines that are most relevant to you. Read below to learn about the five types of college application deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular Decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regular decision is the most common deadline in the application process. The application deadline for regular decisions varies by school, and you can find it on your college\u2019s application portal. Students can usually apply for fall application until January or February. After that, you will usually receive an admission decision by early April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some colleges allow students to submit applications as early as November for fall admission. In this case, you will receive the admission results by the end of December. However, unlike regular decisions, early decisions are binding. This means once you apply, you are agreeing to enroll if you get in. You should only apply for early decision if you\u2019re sure you want to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early action is another early application deadline, but it is not binding, which makes it a safer choice. Applications for early action are due by November, and the results are announced by December. Like other applications, you will need to submit your official test scores, secondary school graduation diploma, and other original documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolling Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Schools that offer rolling admission<\/a> accept applications throughout the year. Many online colleges offer this option, and in many cases, you can start your courses many times throughout the year. This means you don\u2019t have to worry about application deadlines or priority deadlines at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Single-Choice Early Action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Single-choice early action, also known as SCEA, is an application option that is only offered by private schools, and it is a non-binding application. However, if you choose SCEA for one private school, you can\u2019t apply to any others. In most cases, you can still apply to public universities. Some schools that offer single-choice early action are Princeton University and Yale University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n