How do you know when you hear back from college?

I'm eagerly waiting to hear back from the colleges I applied to. What is the typical timeframe for receiving notifications of acceptance or rejection? Do all colleges have a similar schedule for releasing decisions?

The timeframe for hearing back from colleges can vary significantly depending on the application plan you've chosen (Regular Decision, Early Action, Early Decision, or Rolling Admissions) and the policies of the individual colleges.

Under Regular Decision, which is the most common application process, students typically submit their applications by around January 1 and can expect to receive a decision by late March or early April. Some may even release later in mid-April.

Students who apply through Early Action or Early Decision usually submit their applications by November and should hear back by mid-December. Keep in mind that Early Decision is binding (you've committed to attend if admitted), while Early Action is not.

If you apply to a college that offers Rolling Admissions, the college reviews applications as they come in and usually responds within a few weeks of receiving the application.

Each college has its own schedule for releasing decisions, so it's a good idea to check the admissions webpage of each school you've applied to for specific information. Some colleges send an email or update their online portals to inform students when decisions will be released, so be sure to check both your inbox and spam folder regularly.

Remember, answering decisions is a process that takes time. Don't panic if you don't hear back right away because responses can come at different times. It can be hard, but try to be patient.