How long do colleges usually take to process applications?

I'm planning to apply to a few colleges soon, and I'm trying to get a sense of the timeline. How long do most colleges take to process applications and send decisions?

The timeline for colleges to process applications and send decisions can vary depending on the type of application -- Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED), Regular Decision (RD), and Rolling Admissions.

1. Early Action/Early Decision: These deadlines typically fall in November. You should expect to receive a decision anywhere from mid-December to early February. Remember, if you apply ED, the admission is binding unless the college doesn't meet your financial needs.

2. Regular Decision: These deadlines are usually in January or February, and decisions usually start rolling out in mid-March through the beginning of April.

3. Rolling Admissions: In this case, applications are reviewed as they're submitted and continue until all spots are filled. Therefore, you could potentially receive a decision within several weeks of applying, but it depends on when you submitted your application and how quickly the college reviews it.

Keep these timelines in mind, but also check each college's admissions webpage for the most accurate information as it can vary from year to year and even between departments within the same university. Also, be prepared to wait for responses, as admissions offices receive a large number of applications to review. Good luck with your applications!