2024-25 Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates for the Class of 2029
So: you’ve written your Common App personal statement, finished your supplemental essays, acquired recommendations from your favorite teachers, created a fantastic activity resume, sent out your applications, crossed your fingers (and toes!), and now all you have left to do is wait for the results. And waiting is the wooorst!
Especially for the 2024-25 admissions cycle, with standardized tests remaining an optional part of the application for so many schools — or even done away with entirely. Many students decide to apply Early Decision as it is often their best chance to get into their top choice school. Luckily, some schools like Villanova University, Tufts University, and the University of Chicago have two Early Decision deadlines. This way, if you’re rejected or deferred from your top choice school, you can try your hand again at the early decision pool.
To make the wait a little less painful, we’ve compiled a list of Early Decision, Early Action, and Early Decision II deadlines for the Class of 2029 using school websites and past years’ data so you can be prepared for the timing of your admissions decision. Schools announce their decisions in a portal, via email, and some even through snail mail. We update this list all the time, so make sure to check back in for new schools, changes, or additions!
Let’s start by addressing some of your frequently asked questions:
When Do Early Decisions Come Out?
Early Decision notifications typically roll out in early to mid-December. In past years, Ivy Leagues have released Early Decision notifications around the 14th. Some schools, however, release decisions as early as December 3, and others as late as December 24. Read more below to find out when you can expect to hear back from your top-choice schools!
How to Prepare for Early Decision and Early Action Results?
To best prepare for Early Decision and Early Action results, we recommend getting a head start on your Regular Decision applications. Obviously, the best case scenario is that you gain acceptance to your top-choice Early Decision and Early Action schools and do not need to submit any more applications…but have you seen acceptance rates lately? Statistically, most applicants will either be rejected or deferred, so it’s in your best interest to make some serious progress on your Regular Decision application essays beforehand. Trust us, no one is in the mood to write essays while grieving a rejection.
How Do Colleges Notify Applicants of Admission Decisions?
Colleges notify applicants of their admissions decisions via email, an online portal, or in a few cases, by mail.
Here are the Early Decision and Early Action notification dates for the 2024-25 Admissions season:
Most Early Decision results come out in early to mid-December for 2024-25 applicants.
Some schools have an applicant portal that you can check; however, most schools do not release Early Decision notifications on a rolling basis, which means you—along with all the other Early Decision applicants—will find out at the same time. Your top-choice school will likely notify you as to when you can expect to hear back from them regarding your admissions decision.
If you’ve been deferred or rejected from your top-choice school(s), we highly signing up for a Rejection/Deferral Review so one of our College Essay Advisors can assess your drafts and help you generate a plan for improving them before you submit your Regular Decision applications.
No, you cannot reapply for Regular Decision admission if you were rejected in the early round of applications. You can, however, make changes to your application essays so they’re stronger for your other Regular Decision applications. Get in touch to sign up for an assessment of your drafts!
Write a deferral letter! Set yourself apart from other deferred applicants by going the extra mile to reconfirm your interest. It’s also in your best interest to sign up for a Rejection/Deferral Review so we can help you to improve your essays for your Regular Decision applications.
Early Decision and Early Action notification dates tend to be around the same time every year. The day may change, but they’re usually always in early to mid-December.
Yes, you can apply to other schools via Early Action and Regular Decision applications while you wait for your Early Decision result. If you are accepted by your ED school, you’ll need to immediately withdraw any pending applications. If you’re applying to a school with a Restrictive Early Action deadline, the rules may be a little different.
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So: you’ve written your Common App personal statement, finished your supplemental essays, acquired recommendations from your favorite teachers, created a fantastic activity resume, sent out your applications, crossed your fingers (and toes!), and now all you have left to do is wait for the results. And waiting is the wooorst!
