An updated list of 2024 college application deadlines, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision for Ivy League schools, top national universities, and other popular colleges.
| School | Early Decision/Action Deadline | Regular Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 1 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 5 |
| Columbia University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 2 |
| Cornell University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 2 |
| Dartmouth College | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 2 |
| Harvard University | Nov. 1 (Restrictive EA) | Jan. 1 |
| Yale University | Nov. 1 (Single-Choice EA) | Jan. 2 |
| Brown University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 3 |
| School | Early Decision/Action Deadline | Regular Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Oct. 15 (EA) | Jan. 15 |
| University of Georgia | Oct. 15 (EA) | Jan. 1 |
| Texas A&M | Oct. 15 (EA for Engineering) | Dec. 1 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Oct. 15 (EA for Georgia students) | Jan. 6 |
| Princeton University | Nov. 1 (Single-Choice EA) | May 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 6 |
| Harvard University | Nov. 1 (Restrictive EA) | Jan. 1 |
| Stanford University | Nov. 1 (Restrictive EA) | Jan. 5 |
| Yale University | Nov. 1 (Single-Choice EA) | Jan. 2 |
| University of Chicago | Nov. 1 (EA/ED I) | Jan. 6 (ED II/RD) |
| Johns Hopkins University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 2 (ED II/RD) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 5 |
| California Institute of Technology | Nov. 1 (Restrictive EA) | Jan. 3 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 2 (ED II/RD) |
| University of Southern California | Nov. 1 (EA) | Dec. 1 (for select programs), Jan. 15 for all others |
| University of Virginia | Nov. 1 (ED/EA) | Jan. 5 |
| Georgetown University | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 10 |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Nov. 1 (EA) | Feb. 1 |
| Duke University | Nov. 4 (ED) | Jan. 2 |
| Northwestern University | Nov. 4 (ED) | Jan. 2 |
| Tufts University | Nov. 4 (ED I) | Jan. 6 (ED II/RD) |
| University of California, Berkeley | — | Nov. 30 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | — | Dec. 2 |
| University of California, San Diego | — | Nov. 30 |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | — | Dec. 2 |
| University of California, Irvine | — | Dec. 2 |
| Rice University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 1 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 5 |
| Emory University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 1 (ED II/RD) |
| New York University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 5 (ED II/RD) |
| Wake Forest University | Nov. 15 (ED I) | Jan. 1 (ED II/RD) |
| Boston College | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 3 (ED II/RD) |
| University of Rochester | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 5 (ED II/RD) |
| Purdue University | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 15 |
| William & Mary | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 5 (ED II/RD) |
| Brandeis University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 2 (ED II/RD) |
| Case Western Reserve University | Nov. 1 (EA/ED I) | Jan. 15 (ED II/RD) |
| University of Florida | Nov. 1 (ED) | Jan. 15 |
| Northeastern University | Nov. 1 (EA/ED I) | Jan. 1 (ED II/RD) |
| Tulane University | Nov. 1 (ED I) | Jan. 15 (ED II/RD) |
| The Ohio State University | Nov. 1 (EA) | Feb. 15 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | Nov. 1 (EA) | Feb. 1 |
| University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 5 |
| School | Early Decision/Action Deadline | Regular Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | Oct. 15 (ED) | Dec. 1 |
| University of Texas at Dallas | Dec. 1 (Priority) | May 1 (RD) |
| Texas A&M | Oct. 15 (EA for Engineering) | Dec. 1 (RD) |
| University of Oklahoma | Dec. 15 (Scholarships) | Feb. 1 (RD) |
| Baylor University | Nov. 1 (ED/EA) | Feb. 1 (RD) |
| Texas Tech University | Dec. 1 (ED) | Rolling |
| Fordham University | Nov. 1 (EA/ED) | Jan. 3 (RD) |
| Southern Methodist University | Nov. 1 (EA/ED I) | Jan. 15 (ED II/RD) |
| University of Alabama | Jan. 10 (Scholarships) | Rolling |
| Loyola University-Chicago | Dec. 1 (Priority) | Feb. 1 (Scholarships) |
| Colorado School of Mines | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 15 (RD) |
| Pepperdine University | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 15 |
| Oklahoma State University | Nov. 1 (Scholarships) | Rolling |
| Purdue University | Nov. 1 (EA) | Jan. 15 |
| United States Military Academy West Point | Feb. 1 (Application Window) | Rolling |
| United States Air Force Academy | Dec. 31 (RD) | Rolling |
| United States Naval Academy | Jan. 31 (Finalized) | Rolling |
When applying to colleges, you’ll come across several different types of application deadlines, each with its own rules and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of application deadlines, including Early Decision (ED), Early Decision II (ED II), Early Action (EA), Regular Decision (RD), and Rolling Admission. Below, I’ve explained each type and provided a table summarizing them for easy reference.
Binding: If accepted, you must attend the school.
Deadline: Typically around November 1.
Who should apply: Students who are absolutely sure about their top-choice college.
Benefits: Can improve chances of admission since it shows a strong commitment to the school.
Binding: Same as Early Decision, but the deadline is later (usually in January).
Deadline: Usually January, after the ED deadline.
Who should apply: Students who missed the ED deadline or need more time but still want the benefits of a binding decision.
Benefits: Provides a second chance for students who are certain about a specific school but need more time to prepare their application.
Non-binding: You can apply early and still choose other schools.
Deadline: Typically around November 1.
Who should apply: Students who are ready to submit their application early and want to hear back sooner.
Benefits: You’ll get an admission decision earlier (usually by December) but can still apply to other schools and make a decision by May 1.
Non-binding: Similar to Early Action, but you can only apply to one school early.
Deadline: Around November 1.
Who should apply: Students who have a clear top-choice school but want to keep options open for Regular Decision.
Benefits: You show strong interest in one school without being locked into attending if accepted.
Non-binding: You apply by the regular deadline, and decisions are typically released in the spring.
Deadline: Usually between December and January.
Who should apply: Students who need more time to complete their application or aren’t sure where they want to go yet.
Benefits: Allows you more time to prepare and apply to multiple schools.
Non-binding: Schools review applications as they receive them, and decisions are made continuously until the class is full.
Deadline: No set deadline; applications are accepted until all spots are filled.
Who should apply: Students who prefer to apply at their own pace or missed other deadlines.
Benefits: Quick admission decisions, but space can fill up fast, so it’s best to apply early.
| Type of Deadline | Binding | Application Deadline | Decision Time | Who Should Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | Yes | November (usually Nov. 1) | Mid-December | Students who are 100% committed to their top-choice school. |
| Early Decision II (ED II) | Yes | January | February | Students who need more time but are still committed to one specific school. |
| Early Action (EA) | No | November (usually Nov. 1) | Mid-December | Students who want to apply early and get an early decision but keep options open. |
| Restrictive Early Action (REA) | No (restrictive) | November (Nov. 1) | Mid-December | Students who have a clear top-choice school but want to apply non-binding. |
| Regular Decision (RD) | No | December to January | March-April | Students who want more time to complete their applications or are undecided. |
| Rolling Admission | No | No fixed deadline | Rolling decisions (4-6 weeks) | Students who want a flexible application timeline and early admissions decisions. |
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