Your final college decision: key dates, tips, and next steps

You’ve done all the hard work—keeping good grades, participating in activities, and submitting killer college apps. Now, as you start receiving acceptance letters, you may feel like you need to make some quick decisions. In most cases, you don’t need to rush. Here’s what you need to know about when you need to accept an offer, how to notify the college you will or won't attend, and other tips to help you make that final decision.

When do you have to accept a college offer?

If you applied to a college or university by the regular decision or early action deadlines for a fall start, the college acceptance deadline is likely May 1st, or the National College Decision Day. You’ll need to submit an answer to your choice school, letting them know your decision to attend, and likely send in your deposit by this date.

Of course, not every college requires an answer on May 1. Students may have to reply sooner or later depending on how they applied. Here are some other possible college acceptance deadlines you may need to write in your calendar:

Early decision

If you’re accepted to your early decision college, you’ll generally have to accept the offer, withdraw other applications, and submit your deposit just a few weeks after getting the letter.

If you applied under early decision, you’ll generally hear back in mid-December. Early decision II applicants will hear back mid-February. Since early decision is considered binding, if you’re accepted, you’re expected to attend. There are only a few ways to easily be let out of the “contract.”

Rolling admissions

If you applied to a school with rolling admissions, you may have to submit your decision by May 1, sometime before the fall semester starts, or shortly after it begins, depending on the school.

Rolling admissions means a college accepts applications throughout the entire year. The sooner you submit your application, the sooner you’ll hear back. Rolling admission schools may have priority deadlines, which means students who apply by that date are given priority over those who apply later. And all have a “final” deadline, which is the last date they’ll accept applications for the upcoming semester.

If a school’s final deadline for the upcoming semester is before May 1, you likely will have to submit your answer on May 1 or shortly after. If they accept later applications, the exact date depends on the school. Refer to any paperwork you received with your acceptance letter.

However, keep in mind that even if a school doesn't require a decision on whether you’re attending until just before the start of fall semester, it doesn’t mean you should wait to let them know. Delaying could mean missing out on a dorm room or a spot in the class you’d like to take.

Different decision day deadlines

While most schools adhere to the National College Decision Day deadline, there are some exceptions. Always check your acceptance letter and packet for exact details just in case. If you’re not sure, reach out to the admissions department as soon as possible.

Alternative start dates

If you applied to start in the spring semester, you’ll have a different deadline, likely in mid- to late-autumn. Some may allow you to make the decision from late December to early January.

When should you accept a college offer?

While a school may not require an answer until May 1 or even later, that doesn’t mean you should wait until that day to accept. Just like your application, last minute submissions can run into Wi-Fi issues or other problems. You could miss out on your spot because of a technical error.

Instead of submitting your decision on the last day possible, accept a college’s offer as soon as you’re sure you want to attend. But if you do need up until the deadline, that’s perfectly fine. You want to be sure you’re making the right choice for your education.

How do you decide on a college?

There’s a lot to consider when deciding which college to apply to – but now that you have your acceptance letters in hand, you’ll find yourself reviewing many of the same factors!

While you might feel it’s an easy decision – you got into to your dream college, for example – it’s still a good idea to consider a few things before accepting an offer. We recommend these steps:

1. Visit college campuses

You don’t want to go to your “dream school” for the first time in August and find out it is not the college for you. Online tours and videos are great, but colleges usually only show you what they want you to see. Visiting colleges in person will give you a better sense of what the school offers its students.

2. Compare your options

You already compared your options when you applied to colleges, but now that it’s time to make an official decision, you’ll want to compare them again. Make a list of pros and cons for each school you received an offer from.

• Size and location of the campus
• Student life, including clubs, sports teams, extracurricular activities, and other activities
• Fields of study
• Curriculum and course options
• Class sizes
• Living arrangements
• Study abroad and research opportunities
• Campus facilities, such as libraries, recreational center, and technology resources

3. Compare offer letters

Another aspect you’ll want to compare is the financial aid packages. Colleges likely offered you varying amounts of aid and scholarships. Which is the best financial deal for you?

Financial aid offer letters are often confusing, as colleges don’t follow a single format. As a result, it may look like one school is offering a lot, when it’s actually thousands more to attend than the other. Use a financial aid offer comparison tool to better see how much each college is offering versus their cost of attendance (COA).

How to notify the college that you will attend

Exact steps depend on the school, but your acceptance letter’s accompanying documents should detail how to notify the college you’re attending. If you can’t find this information, it should be available on the school’s website. You can also reach out to the admissions department with any questions.

In most cases, it’s as easy as logging into your accepted student portal and completing a few forms. You’ll also likely have to submit a nonrefundable deposit to secure your spot, usually ranging from $100 to $300, though some colleges charge much more.

Should you let a college know you’re not attending?

You don’t technically have to let a college or university know you’re not attending, but they do appreciate a quick "thank you for your consideration” email. Alternatively, many schools have an option in their portal to decline admission. Either way, letting the school know you are declining could open a spot for another student who’s been waitlisted and who does want to attend.

What if you miss the national college decision day deadline?

If you miss the May 1 or other decision deadline, contact the college admissions department as soon as possible. If you have a valid excuse, they may allow you to still accept their offer. Detail the emergency, problems, or other issue you faced when trying to submit your decision and deposit.

What’s next?

After you’ve submitted your letter of acceptance and deposit to your college of choice, there’s a few things you should plan for over the next few months:

1. Celebrate! Congratulations on what you’ve accomplished. Go out and celebrate with friends or family.
2. Look for communication from your college. Check into your student portal regularly and always keep on the lookout for emails with tasks you may need to complete. The school will inform you of information you need on placement tests, class selection, dorm room selection, and paying for tuition and other college costs. You may also need to arrange for transcript submissions and finalize any financial aid requirements.
3. Sign up for (and attend!) orientation. As soon as dates open up for college orientation, sign up! Orientation is where you’ll meet new friends, select courses, pick a dorm room, take placement exams, and more.
4. Finish high school strong. Your high schools will send your final transcripts to your college, so keep working hard to ensure your spot at the school you’ll be attending.
5. Think about finances. Think about how you’ll pay tuition and fees plus other costs you’ll have, such as housing, meals, and books. Always start with FAFSA, then savings and scholarships. If grants, savings, scholarships, and federal aid don’t cover it all, a private student loan could help fund the gap.
6. Create your packing list. Think about what you’ll pack to bring with you to college. Dorms have limited space, so plan accordingly!
7. Connect with the school. Keep on top of the latest news from your college by following it on social media. Most schools provide updates on campus events, sports, clubs, and first year activities.

Financial aid packages usually come with acceptance letters, but most don’t have a single format and they may be a little confusing. How do you know you’re getting the best deal? Our Financial Aid Offer Comparison tool cuts through any confusion and puts the numbers in an easy-to-understand format. Click here to sign up for this FREE resource and get started!