For the Seniors! Colleges (Information & Deadlines)

Written by: Pranav Vaddepalli (‘26), Pranav Soleti (‘26), Abhijith Chitrala (‘26), & Dhanush Suresh (‘28)

College applications for the 2025-26 school year open in August 2025. These various applications from countless institutions across America are most commonly filled out through other third party applications like the common app. There has not been significant changes to the common app since last year, just remember that each school has their own specific criteria, including essays, transcripts, and other necessary information, as well as different timelines you need to watch out for.

Usually, you'll see these kinds of dates: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admission. Early Decision (Ed) dates are usually at the beginning of November 2025 (think Nov 1-15). If you get in through ED, you MUST go to that school. Early Action (EA) is also usually in November, but it's not binding, so you don't have to commit right away. Regular Decision (RD) dates are mostly due in early January 2026 (usually Jan 1-15, but some go into Feb). Rolling Admission (RA) schools just look at applications as they get them, with dates going into the spring until they fill up everything. Don't forget about financial aid too! You gotta send in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1, 2026, for that school year.

Checking out some college application dates gives you an idea of the schedules. For example, if you want to apply to Princeton early, you need to get your stuff in by November 1, 2025. If not, you have until January 1, 2026. Stanford's pretty similar, November 1, 2025, for early applications, January 5, 2026, if you take the regular route.

WashU in St. Louis for example has two early deadlines, one in early November 2025 and another in early January 2026. The regular deadline is January 2. UVA wants your application by November 1, 2025, for early options and January 5, 2026, for regular. Boston College also does the two-round early thing, with November 1 as the first early deadline, and January 2 for the regular one. Case Western gives you until November 1, 2025, for early action or early decision, and then January 15, 2026, for the second early decision and the regular deadline.

Most of the competitive schools want your applications in November or January, but there are little date differences. Always double-check the school’s website to be totally sure.

To meet deadlines, don't just note the dates. Smart applicants create a calendar right away. Put down when each college needs applications, aid forms, and scholarship applications.

Applying early could help you get in at some schools, but only if your application is great and has everything they ask for. Give yourself extra time for things like essays or portfolios, these might have their own rules. Aid and scholarships sometimes have earlier deadlines than applications, so check each college's instructions closely. Sending things in early makes sure transcripts, test scores, and recommendations arrive on time.

Applying for college in 2025-26 is pretty standard, but each school has its own unique application. Early Action and Early Decision apps are mostly due around early November 2025, and Regular Decision apps are usually due around early January 2026. Some schools give you more time, going into February or having rolling admissions. Don't forget about financial aid! The FAFSA is due July 1, 2026. If you make a plan, keep up with the deadlines, and check what each school wants, you'll have a good chance of getting in and getting aid for the 2025-26 school year.