When should you start applying for colleges​?

Key takeaways:

• College bound high school students should start applying for colleges shortly after applications open on August 1 of their senior year.
• Most early decision and early action applications are due on November 1 or 15.
• Many colleges accept regular decision submissions until January 1.

Students should apply for colleges soon after applications open in August

Colleges usually open applications on August 1. While most aren’t due until November or January, you don’t want to wait until a week before your deadlines to start on them. Instead, you should start applying for colleges in August or September. We explain why below, plus highlight some common college application deadlines.

When should you start applying for colleges?

College applications usually open on August 1, but the type of application you’re submitting dictates when you should start.

• If you’re applying under early action or early decision, you’ll want to begin on your application in August.
• If you’re applying under regular decision, you can start a little later in September.
• You may need to start on application portfolios in June or July if you’re applying to an arts program.

Regardless of the type of application you submit, you need enough time for each component, from the essays to the letters of recommendation. You can’t get a letter of recommendation overnight, and it’s never a good idea to brainstorm, write, and edit your essay in a single day.

Starting in August or September gives you plenty of time to give each part of your application the attention it needs and deserves.

Submit your finished application at least a week before it’s due, to avoid potential issues. Technical problems, such as website maintenance or poor Wi-Fi connections, can throw a wrench in your plans. And many colleges don’t accept late applications.

When to apply to colleges

To help you decide when to start your college applications, you need to know when to apply. This table provides some common deadlines for each application type, and we go into further detail on each below.

*Application deadlines vary by school and may be earlier or later than these posted dates. Always check your colleges’ websites for up-to-date and accurate deadlines.

Early decision

• Deadlines often fall on November 1 or 15, but they can be as early as October 1
• Expect to hear back from the school in December.
• You can only apply to one school under early decision and early decision is binding.

You should be sure you want to attend the college before you apply under early decision, as the application process is binding. If you apply and are accepted, you’re expected to withdraw other applications and attend the school the following fall. You can technically back out for any reason, but colleges frown upon it without an acceptable reason, such as not receiving enough financial aid.

Early action

• Early action due dates are often the same as early decision – on Nov 1 or 15 – but they can also be in October.
• You should receive a response back in December or early January.
• It’s not binding, so you don’t have to decide whether to attend until May 1.

Early action gives students the opportunity to apply early and hear back faster from colleges.

You can apply to as many schools as you’d like under early action, unless the college uses “restrictive early action” or “single-choice early action.” In this case, you can only apply to one college under early action or early decision but you’re welcome to submit applications to others through regular decision or rolling admission.

Early decision II

Some colleges offer a second round of early decision, with deadlines usually falling in early to mid-January. You should hear back in February.

Early action II

Early action II deadlines tend to be also in early to mid-January. Students start receiving acceptance letters in February.

Regular decision

A majority of students apply under regular decision.

• The most common due date is January 1, but colleges may have later deadlines. Some don’t require applications until March.
• Students typically hear back in March or early April.

Rolling admission

Colleges with rolling admission accept applications year round or until spots fill up. If you apply too late, your application may be considered for the following year. You should apply to rolling admission colleges as soon as possible to increase your acceptance chances. These schools also tend to notify students on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the sooner you’ll hear back.

Priority deadlines

Some rolling admission schools have priority deadlines for acceptance. If you apply before this date, you’re more likely to get an acceptance letter.

Other colleges list priority deadlines for scholarships. You may still receive awards if you apply after the due date, but your chances go down.

Transfer deadlines

If you’re transferring to a new college, you have more time to submit your application than incoming first years, with deadlines often in March.

Other deadlines

If you’re applying to an arts or competitive program that requires a portfolio, your college may require an earlier submission. Some request portfolios as early as October.

College application deadlines – Top 20 schools

Below, we highlight some of the application deadlines for College Raptor’s Top 20 schools for 2026. Always check colleges’ websites for accurate due dates, as these can change.

Whether you’re applying to a rolling admissions school or your top-choice early decision college, you need to give yourself ample time to tackle all the aspects of your application. Rushing your submission will only hurt your admission chances.

College Raptor can help you learn more about your admission chances at your top schools – and how you can improve your application. Start here – it’s free!