When Do College Decisions Come Out?

Key takeaways

College admissions offices send decisions at various points of the year, generally between late winter and early spring. 

• Colleges and universities typically offer three types of admissions: early decision, early action, and regular decision.

• Many schools also offer rolling admission, allowing you to apply throughout the application window and receive your decision four to six weeks later.

• You can focus on your studies, apply for financial aid, and consider potential majors for your bachelor’s degree program as you await your application decisions. 

Learn more about when you can expect to receive college decisions and productive ways to spend your time while you wait.

College decisions by application type

When you apply to college, you have the option (in most cases) of choosing between early decision, early action, and regular decision. 

• Early decision: Apply and get a decision earlier than regular decision applicants. If you’re accepted, you’re required to go. 

• Early action: Apply and get a decision earlier than regular decision applicants. You’re not obligated to attend if admitted and can take time to consider your options.

• Regular decision: Apply sometime between January and February to get a decision by mid-spring.

Read more: Early Action vs. Early Decision: Which Is Right for You?

When are college applications due?

Many colleges and universities begin accepting applications as early as August for admission the following academic year. College application deadlines depend on what application type you’re submitting, but you can expect to see due dates between November and January.

Many schools also offer rolling admission, meaning they evaluate applications as they come in rather than waiting for a set deadline to begin that process. In that case, you can often get a decision within weeks rather than months. Learn more about the process of applying to college and when college applications are due.

When do college decisions come out?

The following table summarizes when you can expect to hear from the colleges or universities you applied to:

What to do while you’re waiting for an acceptance letter

The period between when you submit your college application and when you get your decision may be a few weeks (in the case of rolling admission) or a few months (in the case of regular decision). You can use that time productively. 

Apply for FAFSA.

You don’t have to wait for your college decisions to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many schools recommend applying before learning whether you’ve been accepted, so they have your information on file and can follow up with a financial aid package. 

Your FAFSA application helps schools determine what kind of aid you’re eligible for, such as scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, or student loans. Each year, FAFSA usually becomes available on October 1, and applications are due by June 30 of the following year. 

Keep your grades up.

Senioritis may set in during your final semester, but it’s important to maintain your grade point average (GPA) as much as possible because acceptances are conditional. Colleges and universities typically want to ensure that you’ve finished your senior year of high school and will usually request final grades from your guidance counselor before finalizing your admission. 

While many institutions won’t penalize you for a dip in your GPA, say from a 3.8 to a 3.5, they may question you about receiving a C or lower in a class. If your grades change significantly, some schools may withdraw your scholarships or even your acceptance, instead offering your spot to a waitlisted student. 

Reflect on potential college majors.

Many students use the first two years of their bachelor’s degree to figure out what they’d like to major in. If you’re unsure which subject you’d like to pursue, reflect on your interests and values with a college major guide or review the lists below. 

• Business majors

• Humanities majors

• Science majors

• Social science majors

• Liberal arts majors

• Medical majors

• Computer science major

You may also be interested in doing a double major, which involves finding a second subject to major in that complements your primary interest, such as business and a foreign language or biology and communications. 

Receiving your decision letter

When you’ve been admitted to the college or university of your choice, review your letter for details about how—and most importantly, when—to respond. Each school sets different guidelines. 

Decision date deadlines

Early decision applicants have already committed to attending the school of their choice if they’re accepted. All other applicants are generally required to notify the school of their choice by College Decision Day on May 1.

When is Ivy Day?

Ivy Day—the day when all eight Ivy League schools release their regular admission decisions—usually takes place in late March. The specific date varies from year to year.

Deferring admission

Some students plan on attending college but want to take a year off between high school and college. Deferred admission refers to a situation where you’ve been accepted to a particular school, and you notify them—usually by a different deadline—that you will be deferring enrollment for one year. 

Specific stipulations come with deferred admission, including being prohibited from enrolling in another institution during your deferral period. If you're interested in this option, it’s best to check with your college or university about any specific requirements. 

Discover resources to prepare for college 

Subscribe to Career Chat, our LinkedIn newsletter, for insight into career trends and potential job paths. Then, explore these resources as you apply to college: 

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me? 

• Watch on YouTube: What Should I Major In?

• Read an insider story: How Steven Schmidt Advanced in His Career with UNT's BAAS Degree

Explore flexible degree options from esteemed university partners on Coursera, where you can study on a schedule that works for you.