If you’re applying to college this fall, you can (and should!) be thinking about and getting a head start on your applications — even though most don’t open until mid-summer. Let’s look at the application timeline and why starting early is crucial. We also offer some college application tips to maximize your chances of success.
When Do College Applications Open?: Table of Contents
- Navigating the College Application Timeline
- Understanding College Application Deadlines and Types
- College Application Timeline for the Class of 2026
- Tips for Maximizing Your College Application Success
Navigating the College Application Timeline
Early preparation and strategic planning are crucial for successfully navigating the college application process, especially if you’re aiming for highly selective institutions like the Ivy Leagues. Students who understand the college application timeline and create a strategy to tackle it have more time to thoughtfully complete each step, which allows them to present their best selves and ultimately maximize their chances of admission.
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Key Dates and Deadlines for the Class of 2026
Specific dates can vary slightly each year, and each college or university typically sets its own college application deadlines. Here is a general timeline that covers most of the dates and deadlines you should expect:
- July/August: College application start dates for most schools occur in July and August — most notably, the Common App opens on August 1. There are some exceptions: Georgetown University, for example, has its own application that opens in June.
- October: Financial aid applications (FAFSA and CSS Profile) open.
- November: Early Decision and Early Action deadlines typically fall around early to mid-November. Some schools have more than one early round.
- December: Decisions for early applicants are released, typically from mid- to late December.
- January: Regular Decision applications and second-round early applications are typically due. Some schools may require applications to be submitted even earlier.
- February: Decisions for second-round early applications are released.
- March: Decisions are released for the regular round.
- May 1: National College Decision Day — students must make their final choice by this date.
Understanding College Application Deadlines and Types
An important part of your college application strategy is deciding which schools to apply to Early Action and Early Decision vs Regular Decision. College application deadlines for the early rounds can vary significantly, plus each institution has its own policies and restrictions regarding this option. Understanding how these application rounds work can help you make informed choices about when to apply to the schools on your college list.
Early Decision vs. Early Action
Students who are competitive academically without a senior mid-year report should consider applying Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED). This typically means the application deadline is about two months earlier — unless you apply ED II or EA II. However, it’s important to realize that these two options are not the same.
- Early Decision: This is a binding application, meaning that you are committed to enrolling and must withdraw all other applications if you are accepted. You should only apply ED to a school that is your top choice if you are 100% certain you want to attend. You cannot apply to more than one school Early Decision; however, you may be able to apply Early Action to other schools.
- Early Action: This is a non-binding option, and you can typically apply to multiple schools Early Action. However, Single Choice Early Action (SCEA) and Restrictive Early Action (REA) options — which are offered by Ivy League and other highly selective schools — often have restrictions on applying early elsewhere. EA is a great option if you have a strong academic record but aren’t ready to commit to a specific school.
Not all schools offer both options, and those that do may have Early Action deadlines that differ from Early Decision. For example, George Washington University offers ED I and ED II but no EA, while Tulane University offers ED I, ED II, and EA. It’s important to understand the policies and college application timeline at each school to ensure you submit all the requirements on time.
Regular Decision
Colleges typically receive the most applications in the Regular Decision (RD) round, making this the largest applicant pool. RD is non-binding, and there are no restrictions on applying to other schools. Regular Decision is ideal for students who need extra time to work on their applications, need to submit their mid-year grades, or are not committed to a particular school.
College Application Timeline for the Class of 2026
So, when do college applications open? The typical time is in July or August before your senior year. However, preparation should begin long before that. This general timeline serves as a guide to keep you on track with your college prep.
Junior Year
September
- Settle into your classes and focus on maintaining or improving your grades. This year is crucial for building a competitive transcript!
- Create a Common App or Coalition Application account, if you haven’t done so already.
- Set up an appointment with your school counselor to discuss your goals and make sure you’re on the right track with your course selection.
- Begin your college research — considering factors like location, size, programs, and campus culture — and start crafting your list of best-fit colleges.
- Prepare for the PSAT/MNSQT testing date in October.
- Work on cultivating teacher relationships with recommendation letters in mind.
October
- Take the PSAT/MNSQT. This is important for National Merit Scholarship eligibility and provides practice for the SAT.
- Start planning college visits, registering for campus tours and information sessions to get a feel for each school.
- Attend college fairs and speak to admissions officers.
November
- Reflect on PSAT results and speak with your school counselor to identify areas for improvement.
- Begin exploring college majors and programs that align with your interests. This can help you build your college list.
December
- Review your activities list — or start it, if you haven’t yet — and make any necessary updates to your extracurriculars and achievements.
- Start looking at SAT or ACT testing dates and take a diagnostic of each test, if you haven’t already, to determine which test is the best fit for you.
- Finish fall semester strong.
January
- Start the new semester with a renewed focus.
- Start a tentative list of colleges that pique your interest. Continue planning campus visits during your weekends and breaks.
- Dedicate time each week to studying for standardized tests and consider test prep tutoring to help you maximize your score.
- Check-in with your school counselor to discuss your semester goals and initial thoughts on your college list.
February
- Review the Common App essay prompts when they are released in late February.
- Attend college information sessions, either virtually or in person.
- Delve deeper into specific academic programs that interest you.
- Continue standardized test prep.
March
- Take the SAT, if applicable. You may need to take it more than once to achieve your goal score.
- Start refining and narrowing down your college list based on your research and preferences. Aim for a mix of likely, target, and reach schools.
- Start thinking of teachers who know you well and could write strong recommendation letters for you.
April
- Start preparing for your AP exams in May, if applicable.
- Take the ACT, if applicable.
- Discuss summer plans with your counselor, including potential summer programs, internships, or volunteer opportunities that could enhance your college application.
- Continue college visits.
May
- Take AP exams.
- Informally request letters of recommendation from your school counselor, teachers, and mentors so they know to be prepared for a formal request.
Summer Before Senior Year
June
- Continue narrowing down your college list based on your college visits.
- Brainstorm potential topics for your personal statement.
- Begin preparing your art portfolio, if applicable.
July
- Dedicate significant time to drafting and revising your personal statement.
- Start checking each college on your list to see if they announced their supplemental essay prompts. Many schools do this ahead of the Common App opening on August 1.
- Research specific college requirements to start organizing and tracking deadlines, requirements, and tasks.
- Explore different types of financial aid and potential merit scholarship opportunities.
August
- Finalize your personal statement. Get feedback from trusted adults, and proofread, proofread, PROOFREAD!
- Finalize your activities list.
- Register and prepare for fall standardized testing, if needed.
- Request transcripts.
- Finalize your art portfolio or start preparing for auditions, if applicable.
Senior Year
September
- Finalize your college list to a balanced mix of 13-15 likely, target, and reach schools.
- Submit formal recommendation letter requests to your chosen recommenders. Provide them with the deadline and as many details as they need to write a thorough recommendation.
- Continue working on applications, prioritizing Early Decision and Early Action deadlines.
October
- Take the SAT or ACT again, if needed. Students applying Early Decision or Early Action typically need to complete this step by the last October testing date. Check each college’s testing policy to verify.
- Work on financial aid applications. Both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA are scheduled to open October 1. Check with each school to determine the deadline for submitting your financial aid applications and materials.
- Finalize Early Decision I and Early Action I applications.
- Start preparing for college admissions interviews.
November
- Submit your ED I and EA I applications! Check each college first for specific deadlines, but most have deadlines of November 1 or 15.
- Continue working on Regular Decision and ED/EA II applications.
- Follow up on recommendation letters to ensure that letters have been submitted.
December
- Get excited! Most Early Decision and Early Action decisions are released this month!
- Focus on completing and proofreading your Regular Decision and ED/EA II applications.
- Finalize financial aid applications.
- Use your winter break to finalize and submit your applications with January deadlines.
January
- Double-check all deadlines! Most Regular Decision and ED/EA II applications are due in January (often January 1st or 15th).
- Ensure transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation have been sent.
February
- Get ready for ED and EA II decisions!
March
April
- Attend admitted student events.
- Compare financial aid packages, now that you’ve received all your admission decisions.
- Make your college decision.
- Inform the chosen college of your enrollment and decline offers from other institutions.
May
- Officially commit to the college you will attend on May 1: National College Decision Day.
- Secure your spot at your chosen college by submitting the enrollment deposit.
- Send thank you notes to your recommenders.
- Celebrate!
Remember, this is a general college application timeline. Specific deadlines and requirements may vary for each college. This process can be overwhelming at times, so don’t hesitate to ask for help along the way.
Tips for Maximizing Your College Application Success
College applications often feel like a puzzle — it takes many parts to complete the whole. With deadlines looming and numerous requirements to track, it’s crucial to be proactive to maximize your success. Here are some of our college application tips.
Stay Organized
Staying organized is the key to managing this process. These ideas can help if you don’t know where to start.
- Create a master calendar that includes all college application deadlines, standardized test dates, recommendation letter requests, financial aid deadlines, and any additional due dates you need to track. Use a digital calendar to set reminders a week or two before each deadline.
- Use apps like Trello or Asana to keep track of all required documents, steps, and deadlines for each college application. Check off items as you complete them to stay on top of your tasks.
- Create folders on your computer for each college and store all related documents in them, such as essays and transcripts. IvyWise counselor Krista recommends Google Drive for this purpose. You can also keep labeled physical folders or binders for hard copies of important documents.
- Prioritize applications based on deadlines and your top choices. Complete applications with earlier deadlines first to avoid last-minute stress.
- Check each college’s website regularly for any updates or changes in application requirements and update your tasks, requirements, or deadlines accordingly.
Break down the application process into smaller goals and reward yourself for completing them. While this whole process may seem overwhelming, try to keep a positive mindset. Remember, each step brings you closer to your goal!
Be Proactive and Intentional
Following these key dos and don’ts and application submission tips will ensure you have a smoother, less stressful process.
Dos:
- Begin your application process well in advance.
- Understand each college’s requirements and tailor your application accordingly.
- Write essays that reflect your true self and experiences. Authenticity stands out.
- Carefully review your application for any errors or typos. Ask a trusted adult to proofread it as well.
- Adhere to all guidelines provided by the colleges, including word limits and document formats.
- Showcase your accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles.
- Request recommendation letters from teachers or mentors who know you well and can speak to your strengths.
- Prepare for college admissions interviews by practicing answering common questions. Be ready to discuss your experiences.
Don’ts:
- Don’t use the same essay for multiple applications without tailoring it to each college.
- Don’t exaggerate. Be honest about your achievements and experiences. Admissions officers can easily identify exaggerations.
- Don’t ignore instructions. Failing to follow application guidelines can hurt your chances.
- Don’t submit incomplete applications. Ensure all required documents and information are included before submitting.
- Don’t overlook deadlines.
- Don’t forget to apply for scholarships and financial aid if needed.
- Don’t forget to follow up. If you haven’t received confirmation of your application submission, follow up with the admissions office.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on your own strengths and achievements rather than comparing yourself to other applicants.
- Don’t get senioritis once your applications are submitted. Keep up your hard work. Colleges will ask for your final grades, and they will rescind an offer of admission if a student’s grades dip at the end of senior year.
Submit a Standout College Application with IvyWise
It can be challenging to balance college apps on top of your coursework and extracurriculars, especially when the college admissions landscape is increasingly competitive. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. All IvyWise college admissions counselors have sat in committee and made the tough admissions decisions, so they know what colleges are looking for and how to help your application stand out. Learn how we can help you achieve your college admissions goals.
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