Key Takeaways:
- Most college applications for the following academic year open on August 1.
- Students who wish to apply early should have their applications submitted by November.
- January 1 is the common regular decision application deadline, but some schools accept later submissions, including those which use rolling admission cycles.
Flickr user Seattle OIRA
College applications usually open on August 1, which includes the Common App. Students don’t need to have their applications ready to go on that date, but starting early gives them time to compare their options, fine tune their essays, and submit their information well before deadlines. Depending on when the student wants to apply, applications are generally due between November 1 and January 1, with some exceptions. In this article, we’ve outlined some must-know information about application opening dates, highlighted common due dates, and provided advice on when to apply to colleges.
When Do College Applications Open?
In most cases, college applications, including the Common App, open on August 1 for the following academic year. For example, if you were applying for the 2026-27 academic year, the application comes available on August 1, 2025.
There are some exceptions. Visit your colleges’ websites for more information on important application dates and deadlines.
When Do College Applications Close?
College applications tend to “close” about five months after they open, on January 1. However, the final date you can submit your application depends on the school and the type of deadline that works best for your goals.
Here’s a look at common due dates for college applications but refer to your schools’ websites to learn what types of applications they accept and their deadlines.
- Early action: Most early action deadlines fall on November 1 or 15. Students tend to hear back around mid-December. You should apply to early action if you’re confident you want to attend a particular school, want to apply for specific scholarships only available to early applicants, or potentially increase your acceptance chances.
- Early decision: Early decision deadlines often match early action due dates – November 1 or 15. Early decision applications are binding, meaning if you’re accepted, you’re expected to attend.
- Early action II and early decision II: Some schools offer additional rounds of early applications, with a common due date of January 1.
- Regular decision: Regular decision applications are generally due on January 1. Most students apply to colleges and universities under regular decision and hear back from schools in March and April.
- Rolling: Rolling admission colleges accept applications year round. If you miss the cutoff date for the upcoming semester or apply after they’ve filled all of the available spots, your application will roll over to the next semester or year. The school may also have priority deadlines (often January 1), with higher acceptance chances and more financial aid for students who applied earlier in the cycle.
- Transfer: Transfer students follow a different application process than incoming first year students. You’ll typically have to submit your application by early summer for fall admission or by November or December for the spring semester.
When Should You Apply to College?
While you don’t have to have your college applications ready to go on August 2, you should still start and submit them as soon as possible.
Here are a few benefits of applying before the January 1 regular decision deadline:
- You could be in the running for scholarships. Many colleges offer scholarships and grants specifically for students who applied through early action or early decision, or by priority deadlines.
- You can give your applications the attention they deserve. You shouldn’t write your college essay in one night or ask your teachers for letters of recommendation a week before they’re due. By starting early, you can fine tune your essay and give your teachers plenty of time to write stellar recommendations.
- You avoid last-minute disasters. If your internet goes out or the school’s website goes down, you might not get your application submitted in time.
- You can apply to more schools. By starting your application process early, you free up more time to submit other applications to potential schools. You’ll also have additional time to research scholarships.
Colleges usually don’t accept applications after deadlines, though there are exceptions. If you miss a due date, reach out to the school’s admission department as soon as possible to explain your situation.
What Do You Need for Your Applications?
Once your colleges open their applications, take a look at the required materials and deadlines.
- Read over essay prompts so you can start brainstorming topics.
- Ask teachers and mentors for letters of recommendation sooner rather than later.
- Consider which deadlines you want to apply by, based on your education goals and top schools.
While you don’t need to have your college applications in by August 2, starting early gives you a head start, reduces stress, and allows you to put your best foot forward on each of your submissions.
Before you apply to colleges, you need to compare your options to determine which schools fit your needs, wants, and goals. College Raptor makes it easy with College Match. Start exploring colleges and universities today for free!
