When do college acceptance letters arrive?

Once you've applied to colleges, the waiting game begins – waiting to hear back whether you've been accepted. For most students, college acceptance letters arrive in early spring, from mid-March to late April. However, students who applied through Early Action or Early Decision might hear back sooner. Below we outline when college decisions come out with examples, plus some more information about acceptance letters and how to let the school you've chosen know you're going to attend in the fall.

What is a college acceptance letter?

An acceptance letter is a document notifying you that you have successfully secured admission into a college that you have applied to. You should receive an acceptance letter from every college or university that accepts you into their program. You might receive it in the mail, through your application portal, through your email, or all three.

A college acceptance letter also includes a financial aid offer letter based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid application (FAFSA), expected college costs, and information about the next steps.

If you're not accepted to a college, you'll instead receive a rejection letter or a notice that you've been waitlisted or deferred.

Accepted vs. rejected vs. deferred. vs. waitlisted

When you receive a college's decision, it will have one of four responses on it:

• Accepted means you were accepted to the college and you are invited to attend the following fall. You'll still have to submit a deposit and any other documentation or information the school requested to secure your spot.
• Rejected means you were not given a spot at the school. The college may explain why you were rejected or invite you to reapply in upcoming years.
• Deferred students aren't rejected, but they have to wait a little longer to receive an answer. This usually happens to Early Decision and Early Action applicants, and their applications will be reconsidered during Regular Decision. Deferred students often get a response shortly before Regular Decision applicants.
• Waitlisted students also aren't declined admission, but they'll be accepted if a spot opens up (meaning another student declined the offer and there's now room for them to attend). If a spot doesn't open up, they won't be able to attend.

Some deferred and waitlisted students may be asked to submit additional documentation, such as mid-year reports or any new SAT/ACT grades (do this as soon as you can). If you receive a letter from your college and you're not quite sure what it means for you, reach out to the admissions department with any questions about the next steps.

When do college decisions come out?

Students who apply under Regular Decision can expect to hear back between mid-March and late April. However, the exact timeline for receiving a college acceptance letter depends on when you submitted your application and the school.

Application options include Early Action, Early Action II, Early Decision, Early Decision II, Regular Decision, or Rolling Admission. Each type has different deadlines and decision notification dates.

This table explains common application due dates and when you could generally expect to hear back.

Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Each college is different and may operate on varying timelines. Here's a more in-depth look at each type of application:

Early Decision I and II

Early Decision applications are usually due November 1st or 15th, but they could be required as early as October 1. Almost all colleges let Early Decision applicants know their decision by December 15. Early Decision apps let schools know the applicant is serious about attending and tend to have a slightly higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision applications. 

Early Decision applications are considered "binding," meaning that if you apply and you're accepted, you're expected to attend the following fall unless you don't receive the financial aid you need to attend. Once you're accepted, you have to withdraw all other college applications.

Some schools now offer Early Decision II, which is a later, binding application option. They usually have a January 1 deadline, and students can expect to hear back by mid-February.

Early Action I and II

Early Action applications are also usually due on November 1 or 15. In most cases, students will hear back by mid-December, but some colleges take longer. It could be mid-February before you hear back.

Early Action allows you to get a response quickly, but it is NOT binding. If you're accepted, you're not obligated to attend. In many cases, you're also welcome to apply to other colleges, unless the school has a restrictive Early Action. This means you can only apply to that school under Early Action. You can still apply to others through Regular Decision.

In the event you're waitlisted or deferred, it may be a few weeks or months before you hear back. For example, a deferred student might hear they were deferred in mid-December and get a final answer in mid-February.

Early Action II applications are usually due between early or mid-December at schools that have January deadlines for Regular Decision students. Students should get a response by mid-February. Rolling Admissions colleges may request Early Action II applications by early January, and students are notified on a rolling basis.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision applications are generally due by January 1 or in early to mid-January. You can expect to hear back from these colleges or universities in March or early April. If you haven't heard back by mid-April, reach out to the admissions department.

Most students apply to colleges under Regular Decision, and you can apply to as many schools as you want.

Rolling Admissions

Rolling Admissions is a college admission plan where applications are reviewed as they're received, rather than after a fixed deadline. Applicants may get decisions within weeks of applying, unless otherwise noted by the college. While schools accept applications year-round, they often have priority or final deadlines—students who apply by the priority date may have better chances for admission and financial aid, while those who miss final deadlines might only be considered for later semesters. Some colleges even accept applications shortly after classes begin.

A college may also stop accepting new applications for the upcoming semester if all spots are full, so it's always advisable to apply as soon as possible, even if it's a Rolling Admissions school.

When do college acceptance letters arrive? 15 examples

Although these general guidelines give you a good idea of when you can expect to submit your application and receive an answer, they're not written in stone. Every college is different.

In this table, we've outlined 15 different schools, including some Ivy Leagues, that offer Regular Decision, their deadlines, and when applicants should expect an answer:

How to learn more about your college's timeline

Colleges and universities can have varying dates for applications and decision releases. They can also have different types of applications available. Deadlines can also change year-to-year (but they often stay roughly the same).

To learn more about your school's application timeline, you can:

• Visit your school's website. Most colleges list decision dates right on their website alongside application deadlines and application review process.
• Login to your application portal. Your application portal might have more information about the college's decision, when to expect it, and your application's status.
• Reach out to the Office of Admissions. If you can't find any details about decision releases online, through the application portal, or on any documentation you received, reach out to the college's admissions department for more information.

If your college's advertised decision notification date has passed and you haven't heard back, contact the Office of Admissions right away. You don't want to delay or you could lose your spot.

When do you have to reply with your decision?

As with colleges' responses to applications, when you have to reply with your decision depends on how you applied. Most students don't have to notify a college about their intention until May 1, but the earlier you know, the better. It's less stressful, and if you qualify for work-study opportunities, you might be able to grab a spot by accepting the offer early.

• Early Decision I or II. If accepted under Early Decision I or II, you must attend that school, send your deposit promptly, and withdraw all other applications.
• Early Action I or II and Regular Decision. Applicants under Early Action or Regular Decision typically have until May 1 (National College Decision Day) to reply. You can respond earlier if certain.
• Rolling Admissions. Most rolling admission schools ask for your decision and deposit by May 1, though deadlines may vary. Late responses could limit options for housing or course selection.

Can a college rescind your acceptance letter?

A college can rescind your acceptance letter under certain circumstances, including:

• Your application contains false information, such as a fake transcript, a recommendation letter with a forged signature, or false SAT scores.
• Your academic performance decreases significantly to unacceptable levels.
• You engage in behavior or activities that violate the school's code of conduct.

The time between submitting your application and waiting to hear back can be stressful. Knowing when to expect a response, though, can cut down on the anxiety. Thankfully, there's plenty you can do while you wait, including volunteer work, visiting campuses, and applying to scholarships.

Finding scholarships while you wait for your acceptance letters can keep your mind off the stress. Our Scholarship Search Tool is here to help you identify awards you qualify for – and apply to them.