Understanding Regular Decision Dates

I'm finalizing my college application list and curious when regular decision results typically come out. How do these dates differ from early admissions, and should I expect to know by a certain month?

The release dates for Regular Decision (RD) results can vary widely between colleges, but most schools release their decisions between March 15th and April 1st.

This is in contrast to Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) results, which are typically released in mid-December. Some colleges offering Rolling Admissions can send decisions as early as 6-8 weeks after an application is submitted, but this varies by institution.

By applying Regular Decision, you give yourself more time to polish your application, and you are not bound to attend if accepted, unlike with Early Decision.

In terms of planning, you should mostly be prepared to hear back from all your RD schools by April 1st. However, it's important to check each college's website or admissions office for precise dates as they may vary.

Remember to consider other timelines related to college decisions as well, like college visits, financial aid negotiations, and the fact that you'll typically have until May 1st to make your final decision about which college to attend.

Example: If you apply to Duke University, their website states that Regular Decision applications are due by January 4th and decisions are posted in late March, while the Early Decision deadline is November 1st with decisions posted in mid-December.

Essentially, expect to wait a few more months for Regular Decision results when compared to EA or ED. It may feel like a long wait, but it provides you with more time to ensure your applications are as strong as they can be!