When should I expect college acceptance letters to roll in?

Does anyone know when the bulk of college acceptance letters start to come in for most institutions?

The timing for when acceptance letters start to roll in can vary widely depending on the type of application (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision) and the specific schools to which you applied.

For Early Decision and Early Action (nonbinding decision), you usually submit your applications in November, and decisions generally return around mid-December. These decisions can either be an acceptance, rejection, or in some cases, a deferral to the regular decision applicant pool.

Regular Decision is a more common application route, with submission deadlines typically around January 1st. For Regular Decision applicants, decisions tend to roll out between mid-March and early April.

It's worth noting that colleges may have different timelines. Some may send out all their decisions at once, while others release them on a rolling basis over several weeks or even months. It's best to check each individual college's admission website for the most accurate information.

While the waiting period can be nerve-wracking, remember that it's a universal experience shared by countless high school seniors every year. In the meantime, focus on your current studies and enjoy your senior year. You've done all you can at this point, and the ball is now in the colleges' court.