How long do college applications take to process?

I'm super curious about how long it usually takes for colleges to process applications. Once I hit that submit button, what kind of timeline should I expect before I hear back?

The timeline for hearing back about your application depends on the admission process at each university and when you submit your application. Keep in mind that universities experience high volumes of applications, especially near or on deadline day, meaning it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months for your application to be entirely processed and considered by an admissions committee.

If you apply Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA), you'll typically hear back sometime in December, though this can vary depending on the school. For Regular Decision (RD), universities aim to release their decisions around April 1, but again, this can vary.

Remember, application processing times can extend due to factors such as holiday breaks and the complexity of reviewing applications holistically. However, you'll usually be able to see a status update on the college's application portal once your application is under review. In any case, it's a good practice to check your email and application portal frequently for any updates or additional information requests.