College Application Deadlines 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

The senior year of high school is filled with deadlines and decisions for college-bound students. Colleges and universities set their own deadlines to apply for admission, so it’s important to thoroughly research schools to learn more about their deadlines and application processes.

Many schools allow you to apply early by submitting your application materials by their early action or early decision deadlines. You also have the option to apply during the regular admission period, and some schools offer rolling admission, which provides a more flexible application timeframe. Each application type has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to understand them before starting the application process.

This article explores the different types of college application deadlines and provides an overview of the deadlines and types of admission for several popular colleges and universities. Keep reading to learn more about college application deadlines so you can prepare to get into the college of your choice.

When Are the College Application Deadlines?

The information below reflects a general timeframe for typical college application deadlines and application decision dates. Keep in mind that these dates vary according to each educational institution’s timeline, so you may find schools with deadlines that fall outside of these ranges.

Types of College Applications

While many colleges and universities offer different deadlines for applying, they don’t all offer the same ones. Below, we outline common options for college application deadlines, along with brief explanations, to help you decide which option is best for you.

Early Action

Early action is when you apply to schools before the regular admission deadline but leave your options open. If a school accepts your admission, you may still consider other schools. This allows you to apply to multiple schools at a time and examine and compare financial aid packages, campus life, academic programs and other relevant issues that may influence your final decision.

Early Decision

Early decision means that you will attend the school you apply to if you’re accepted. This option is binding and only allows you to apply to one school at a time, so you should only choose it if you are absolutely sure about which school you want to attend. This shows that you are committed to the school and aren’t applying to others. If your application is not accepted, you may then apply to other schools.

Regular Admission

Regular admission means that you apply no later than the regular admission deadlines for colleges and universities. The regular admission date is later than the dates for early decision or early action admission. Applying by the regular admission deadline allows you to have more time to work on improving your GPA, write your admission essay, research financial aid packages or retake the SAT or ACT if needed. You may also apply to multiple schools during regular admission.

Rolling Admission

With rolling admission, schools evaluate admission applications on a first-come, first-served basis during a more lengthy application window rather than according to a set deadline. Schools that offer this application option typically make their decisions in about four to six weeks, and these offers are non-binding.

Open Admission

Choosing a school that offers open admission may be a great option if your GPA is a bit lower than average since many of these schools have lower GPA requirements. Open admission is common in many community colleges and online schools, so high school graduates or those with a General Educational Development (GED®) certificate are typically admitted.

Deferred Admission

Submitting your application by the early action or early decision deadlines doesn’t necessarily mean you find out if you have been accepted early. It’s common practice for colleges and universities to defer admission decisions for the final review period for students, even though students submit their applications early. If your admission is deferred, you may still be admitted after further consideration.

A deferred admission gives you more time to bring up your grades or test scores to be a more competitive applicant if you still want to attend the school that deferred your application. It also allows you to apply to other schools if you don’t want to wait for a final decision from the school that deferred you.

When Does Common App® Open for 2024?

Common App is a nonprofit organization that allows college applicants to connect with and apply to more than 1,000 educational institutions in the U.S. and 20 other countries. It simplifies and streamlines the college application process by providing a variety of resources and information in one place and allowing students to apply to colleges and universities through its online application platform. The 2024–2025 Common App launches on August 1, 2024.

College Application Deadlines for Fall 2024

While many college application deadlines for first-year applicants are similar, some may be earlier or later, depending on the school. Below, we list some top schools or school systems and their corresponding deadlines for first-year undergraduate applicants. Graduate programs may have different deadlines and requirements.

You may apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Educational institutions may have their own FAFSA deadlines. If applicable, we have included these deadlines in the table below.

Should You Apply Early Action, Early Decision or Regular Admission for College?

When you should apply to college depends on when you are ready, how many schools you are considering and how much flexibility you have in your choice of school.

Early action allows you to apply early to multiple schools without making a definitive commitment to a specific school. Regular admission also allows you to apply to multiple schools at once according to their regular application deadlines.

You should only apply early decision if you are certain what your first choice is and don’t plan to apply elsewhere unless you don’t get accepted into your first-choice school. With early decision, you only apply to one school at a time, and your acceptance is binding, so you should be sure about your choice if you go this route.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About College Application Deadlines