When are regular decision dates for colleges in 2026?

I'm prepping my applications and need to figure out when regular decision applications are due for colleges in 2026. Is there a particular month that most schools adhere to, or does it differ greatly?

The majority of colleges have their regular decision application deadlines on January 1st or January 15th. Some colleges extend the deadline to February 1st or slightly later. However, there can still be significant variation from school to school and it's important to remember that it's not only the deadline for submitting the application itself, but also for all required supplemental materials (like recommendation letters, transcripts, and test scores if the school is not test-blind).

Always look up each school's regular decision date and don't presume one date applies to all. Furthermore, bear in mind that often the deadlines for financial aid applications are different and sometimes earlier than the regular decision deadline. Do some research and make a list or a calendar to keep track of all the important dates and take note if they refer to the date by which all materials must be received, versus the postmark deadline. And a final word of advice - try to submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues or stress.