When Do College Admissions Come Out?

Understanding the timing of college admissions decisions is a critical part of the application process. Each type of application plan has its own timeline, and being aware of these can help students stay organized and plan accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of when you can expect to hear back from colleges based on the type of admission plan.

Early Decision and Early Action

Timeline: Late November to mid-December

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are popular options for students who have a clear top-choice school. Both allow applicants to receive admissions decisions earlier than the regular cycle.

Early Decision: This is a binding agreement, meaning if accepted, students must withdraw all other applications and commit to attending.
Early Action: This is non-binding, giving students more flexibility to decide after receiving other admissions offers.

Decisions for ED and EA applicants are typically released between late November and mid-December, providing an early answer to reduce uncertainty.

Regular Decision

Timeline: March to April

Regular Decision (RD) is the most common application plan. Students applying through RD submit their applications by January (for most colleges) and receive their admissions decisions in the spring.

This timeline allows students to apply to multiple schools and compare offers before committing.
Most Regular Decision notifications are sent in March, with some extending into early April depending on the institution.

Rolling Admissions

Timeline: Decisions are made continuously

Rolling Admissions differs from the structured timelines of Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Under this plan, colleges evaluate applications as they are received and send decisions on a rolling basis—usually within 4–8 weeks of submission.

Colleges with Rolling Admissions often begin reviewing applications in late summer or early fall, and decisions can continue well into the spring or even summer, depending on space availability.
Applying early in this system is beneficial as spots fill up quickly.

Waitlist Decisions

Timeline: Late spring to early summer

Students placed on a waitlist may not receive a final decision until after the initial deposit deadlines (usually May 1). Colleges assess waitlist candidates based on space availability, which can extend into June or July.

Key Tips for Navigating Admissions Timelines

Track Deadlines: Keep a detailed calendar with application and decision dates for each school.
Stay Informed: Check the admissions websites of your chosen colleges for specific timelines and updates.
Plan Ahead: Ensure you’ve prepared financial aid documents (like the FAFSA) and other materials ahead of decision dates to avoid delays.

The timing of college admissions decisions varies depending on the type of application you submitted:

Early Decision (ED):

Early Decision I: Typically notified in mid-December.
Early Decision II: Typically notified in mid-February.

Early Action (EA):

Early Action I: Typically notified between mid-December and late January.
Early Action II: Typically notified in mid-February.

Regular Decision:

Typically notified between mid-March and early April.

Rolling Admissions:

Decisions are typically released 4-6 weeks after the application is submitted.

Remember: These are general timelines, and specific notification dates can vary by college. It’s best to check with the individual colleges you’ve applied to for their exact notification dates.

I hope this helps!