When Do College Decisions Come Out? Key Release Dates to Know

You're refreshing your email for the third time today. Nothing. Meanwhile, someone on Reddit claims they got their decision yesterday. Is something wrong with your application?

Probably not. Decision timing depends on the admission plan, not on you. Here's when to actually expect results.

Rolling admissions: 6-10 weeks after you apply

Rolling schools don't release decisions all at once. They evaluate applications as they arrive and send decisions throughout the season. Two people who applied to the same school might hear back weeks apart.

Most rolling decisions arrive 6-10 weeks after submission, though that window stretches during high-volume periods like right before the holidays. The key factor is when you applied—earlier applications generally get earlier decisions.

If you applied recently and haven't heard back, that's normal. It's not a signal either way.

Early Decision and Early Action: mid-December through February

Early programs run on clearer schedules than rolling admissions.

ED1 deadlines are usually November 1, with decisions around December 15. Some schools release as late as December 24. If you applied ED1 and it's past mid-December, check your portal and email spam folder before worrying.

ED2 has later deadlines, usually in December or January, with decisions arriving late January through February. If you're waiting in early February, you're still in the normal window.

EA deadlines are often November 1 as well, though some schools have earlier cutoffs (mid-October). EA decisions come out anywhere from mid-December to early February, depending on the school. Check each school's stated timeline rather than comparing to friends who applied elsewhere.

Regular Decision: March, sometimes early April

RD is the longest wait. Decisions start appearing in mid-March, but many schools—especially selective ones with large applicant pools—release closer to the end of March. Some decisions trickle into early April.

If it's mid-March and you're still waiting, that's expected. If it's the last few days of March and you haven't heard from a selective school, that's still probably normal.

Ivy Day and the UC system

The Ivy League releases all eight schools' decisions on the same day, usually the last Thursday of March. In recent years that's been March 28 (2024) and March 30 (2023). Everyone finds out at once—no staggered notifications.

The UC system uses a different approach. Applications are due in early December, and decisions come out throughout March, with all campuses finishing by March 31. Campuses with fewer applications tend to release earlier. The most competitive UCs often wait until the very end of the window.

Should you email admissions?

You'll be tempted. Don't.

Admissions offices don't make timing exceptions because you asked nicely. They also don't reveal decisions early. Emailing just adds to their inbox.

Instead, check the school's stated timeline. Look at prior-year patterns. Follow the admissions office on social media—many schools announce when decisions are going out. If you're within the normal window, your decision is coming. Silence isn't a signal.

Quick reference

- Rolling: 6-10 weeks after you apply
- ED1: Around December 15 (sometimes later in December)
- ED2: Late January through February
- EA: Mid-December to early February
- RD: March, occasionally early April
- Ivy League: Last Thursday of March
- UC system: Throughout March, all by March 31

If you're waiting and it feels like forever, check the calendar against these windows. You're probably right on schedule.