Missing an application deadline is one of the most preventable mistakes in the college admissions process. Here's everything you need to know about each deadline type.
Early Decision I (ED I): Binding
Typical deadline: November 1 or November 15
Decision notification: Mid-December
Nature: Binding — if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications
Financial aid: You receive your financial aid package with your decision. You can request release if the package doesn't meet demonstrated need.
Early Action (EA): Non-Binding
Typical deadline: November 1 or November 15
Decision notification: December–January
Nature: Non-binding — you have until May 1 to decide
Restriction: Standard EA allows applying to multiple schools. Restrictive EA (at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford) restricts applications to other private schools' EA/ED programs simultaneously.
Early Decision II (ED II): Binding
Typical deadline: January 1 or January 15
Decision notification: February–early March
Use case: For students who weren't admitted or didn't apply ED I and have a clear second-choice school.
Regular Decision (RD): Non-Binding
Typical deadline: January 1 or January 15 (most common)
Decision notification: Late March/early April
Final commitment: May 1 (National Candidate Reply Date)
Financial Aid Deadlines — Often Separate
FAFSA priority deadlines at many schools are as early as November 1 or December 1 — separate from application deadlines. CSS Profile deadlines often mirror application deadlines. Missing financial aid deadlines can cost thousands of dollars in grants.