College Application Deadlines: A Full Guide

A missed college deadline can result in a missed opportunity. This comprehensive guide will break down every college application deadline, essential information, and how students can stay well-prepared.

Types of College Application Deadlines
Understanding Early Application Deadlines & Regular Deadlines
College Application Deadlines Based on Application Platform
Why Do College Application Deadlines Matter?
What Happens if I Miss a College Application Deadline?
Tips on How to Stay on Top of Application Deadlines
Can I Make Changes to a Submitted Application?
Do Majors Have Different College Application Deadlines?
Final Thoughts
Additional Resources

Key Takeaways:

The most common deadlines in college admissions are fixed, priority, and flexible or rolling deadlines. Examples of these are Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions.
The Common App, Coalition App, and University of California (UC) Application are the most used application platforms for high schoolers, each enforcing their own application deadlines for students.
Missed deadlines can lead to decreased admissions chances. To avoid last-minute scrambling, students should start their college applications early, stay organized, verify dates, and document submissions.

Types of College Application Deadlines

Different colleges have different types of deadlines. The most traditional ones can be categorized as:

Fixed College Deadlines

Fixed college deadlines are deadlines that have a set date by which students can apply. In the United States, these deadlines are typically in November and January of each year. These deadlines are traditionally set in stone, with no accommodation for students unless under extreme circumstances.

Priority College Deadlines

Some colleges have priority deadlines that better a student’s chances of securing financial aid or gaining acceptance to a college. In many cases, priority deadlines are based on a college’s yield rate.

A yield rate compares the number of offers sent out by an institution to the number of incoming students. The more students who accept an offer and attend the college, the higher the yield rate. Maintaining high and consistent yield rates is important to colleges. For this reason, applying as a priority deadline applicant can favor a student.

An example of a priority deadline is Early Decision, a binding commitment for accepted applicants. Applying Early Decision signals confidence to the college. They aren’t taking a risk by sending an offer. Thus, contributing to a higher yield rate.

These types of college deadlines are typically earlier in the year, often around November.

Flexible or Rolling College Deadlines

Many colleges offer students rolling college deadlines, which means they evaluate applications as they receive them, with no penalty for applying later than other students.

Understanding Early Application Deadlines & Regular Deadlines

	Definition	Deadline	Results
Early Action	Non-binding commitment	~November 1 - 15	Late November - December
Early Decision	Binding commitment	~November 1 - 15	Late November - December
Regular Decision	Non-binding commitment	~January 1 - 15	Mid-March - April
Rolling Admission	Non-binding commitment	Varies by school	First-come, first-served

College Application Deadlines Based on the Application Platform

Common App Deadlines

August 1 - The Common App goes live. Students can create their profiles, review college requirements, and begin building their applications.

November 1-15 - Early Action and Early Decision deadlines for select schools.

December - Early admissions results are released on a rolling basis to students.

January 1-15 - Regular Decision deadlines.

March - April - Regular admissions results released.
May 1 - Last official day to confirm or deny enrollment.

Coalition Application Deadlines

August 1 - The Coalition Application is open to students.

November 1-15 - Early deadlines for select schools.
January 1-15 - General admission deadline.
March - April - Regular admissions results released.
May 1 - Last official day to confirm or deny enrollment.

University of California (UC) Application Deadlines

October 1 - The UC application opens.

November 30 - Deadline for all UC applications.

Late March - UC decisions released.

May 1 - Deadline to accept or decline UC offers.

When Do Students Need to Confirm Their Enrollment?

Students applying for Early Decision are required to confirm their enrollment within a few weeks of receiving their offer, given that it is a binding commitment. Students who apply for Early Action and Regular Decision have until May 1 (National College Decision Day!) to confirm their spot.

Why College Application Deadlines Matter

First-Come, First-Served Evaluation

Colleges, specifically those using a rolling admissions process, evaluate applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who wait too long to submit their applications can run the risk of being rejected due to space limitations. Keeping to a schedule and knowing when you can expect deadlines is the best way to avoid any last-minute challenges.

Establishing a Habit for College

Professors enforce strict deadlines for college assignments. Students looking to avoid last-minute penalties should start building a habit of early completion in high school.

What Happens if I Miss a College Application Deadline?

Students who miss the Early Action or Early Decision deadlines in November are still eligible to apply for Regular Decision in January. In unique circumstances, if a student has a legitimate reason for why they were unable to meet the deadline, they may be accommodated at the college’s discretion. It’s best to contact your admissions representative directly to inform them of any challenges you’re facing.

Traditionally, students who miss college application deadlines will need to wait until the next application cycle to submit their applications. Don’t be that student, prepare early!

Tips on How to Stay on Top of College Application Deadlines

Managing multiple deadlines starts with staying organized. Here are some tips to stay on track:

Add the most important dates to your calendar to keep track of each deadline.
Set reminders at least a week in advance.
Stay updated on deadline changes by referencing college websites.
Start applications early to avoid last-minute stress.
Submit your application a few days before the actual deadline to avoid technical hiccups.
Take screenshots of submission notifications.

Can I Make Changes to a Submitted Application?

Students cannot make changes to their application once it’s submitted. All submissions are final once processed through the application portal. Students can make as many adjustments and updates as necessary before submitting.

Do Majors Have Different College Application Deadlines?

Yes, some selective programs have different deadlines compared to general admission. For example, most colleges’ Regular Decision deadline cuts off on January 15, whereas the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business’s deadline is February 1.

Always verify college application deadlines during the college research process. This is the best way to prepare early and avoid last-minute confusion.

Final Thoughts

Understanding admissions requirements and important deadlines early is the best way to stay successful throughout the college admissions process. There are alternative pathways students can consider if, in an unfortunate situation, they miss a deadline, but students should take proactive steps to avoid that. Early planning, organization, and consulting with a professional are the best ways to avoid missed deadlines.

Additional Resources

For more info, take a look at some of these additional resources.

Check out our previous webinars for all kinds of advice on college admissions.
Still have questions? Grab a spot at one of our upcoming events and ask our experts directly! We host weekly webinars on a variety of topics.
Connect with one of our experts for a free 45-min consultation to learn more about how our college counselors can support you in your college admissions journey.

About Us: With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the family. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for your student to be their best self - whether in the classroom, the applications, or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, lead to 4x higher than average admissions rates.