What deadlines should I plan for if I apply Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision to Ivy League colleges?
Typical Ivy League deadlines are November 1 for Early Decision and, at most colleges, Early Action (Cornell has no Early Action), with results in mid December. Regular Decision usually closes between January 1 and 5, with results in late March or April. Exact dates vary by college.
Ivy League colleges follow a structured admission cycle, and the typical early deadline falls on November 1 for both Early Decision and Early Action. Regular Decision usually closes in the first week of January. Exact dates vary by college (Cornell has no Early Action and Penn releases Regular Decision results in April), so verify each one before you plan your timeline.
Typical Ivy League Application Rounds
| Application type | Typical deadline | Decision release |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | November 1 | Mid December |
| Early Action (EA) | November 1 (Cornell has no Early Action) | Mid December |
| Regular Decision (RD) | January 1 to 5 | Late March (Penn in April) |
| Enrollment deadline | May 1 | Not applicable |
How to Use These Dates
- Because both early rounds share the same typical date, finish your essays and test scores before November.
- Regular Decision gives you a few more weeks, but results arrive only in late March.
- May 1 is the typical date by which you confirm your enrollment.
My Advice
Work backwards from November 1 and set your own internal deadlines for tests, essays and recommendation requests. Always confirm the dates on each college's admissions page, since they can shift from year to year.
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