Early Decision & Early Action Deadlines
Note: Early Decision (ED) is binding, if accepted, you must attend. Early Action (EA) is non-binding. Restrictive Early Action (REA) limits other early applications. Check each school's specific policies.
Most ED I / REA Deadlines
November 1, 2026Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, most Ivies
UC Application Deadline
November 30, 2026All University of California campuses
ED II Deadlines
January 1-15, 2027Many selective schools offer ED II
Regular Decision Deadlines
January 1, 2027
Most CommonMany selective private universities
January 5, 2027
CommonOxford, some selective schools
January 15, 2027
CommonMany state universities, some privates
Rolling Admissions
FlexiblePenn State, Indiana, many large state schools
Timeline Tips
Set your own deadlines 3 days early. Technical issues happen. Build in buffer.
Request recommendations early. Give teachers at least 4 weeks notice.
Note time zones. Deadlines are usually 11:59pm in the school's time zone or Eastern.
Check individual school websites. Deadlines can change. Always verify.
Financial aid deadlines differ. FAFSA opens October 1; CSS Profile may have earlier deadlines.
Stay Organized
Create a spreadsheet with every school's deadline, required materials, and your personal "submit by" date (3 days before actual deadline). Update it weekly until you're done.