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College application deadlines for 2026-27: early and regular decision

When college applications are due for fall 2027: early decision, early action and regular decision dates, the UC and CSU window, FAFSA and decision dates.

3 min read · Updated October 24, 2026

On this page
  1. The application plans, in plain English
  2. The typical calendar for fall 2027 entry
  3. How to plan your essays around the deadlines
  4. Deadlines people miss
  5. Questions

Most college deadlines for students starting in fall 2027 fall into a few predictable windows: early deadlines in November, regular deadlines in early January, and a few later ones. The exact dates are set by each college and can differ by plan, program and scholarship, so treat this guide as the calendar to plan around and each college's admissions page as the final word.

The rule that saves the most stress: your essays are due when your application is due, and they take longer than the forms. Plan the essays backwards from your earliest deadline.

The application plans, in plain English

  • Early Decision (ED): binding. If you are admitted, you commit to attend and withdraw your other applications. You can apply ED to only one college at a time.
  • Early Decision II (ED II): also binding, with a later deadline, usually in January. Offered by some colleges.
  • Early Action (EA): not binding. You hear earlier and still have until May 1 to decide.
  • Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action (REA or SCEA): not binding, but limits where else you can apply early. The rules differ by college.
  • Regular Decision (RD): the standard deadline. Not binding.
  • Rolling admission: applications are reviewed as they arrive, so applying early helps.

Read next: UCAS personal statement vs Common App essay

The typical calendar for fall 2027 entry

  • August 1, 2026: the Common App opens for the 2026-27 cycle, with the same seven essay prompts as last year.
  • October 1, 2026: the 2027-28 FAFSA opens, and so do the University of California and Cal State filing periods.
  • November 1, 2026: the most common Early Decision and Early Action deadline.
  • November 15, 2026: the second common early deadline.
  • November 30, 2026: the University of California deadline and the Cal State priority deadline for fall 2027.
  • Mid-December 2026: most early decisions are released.
  • January 1 to January 15, 2027: the most common Regular Decision and ED II deadlines.
  • February 1, 2027: a later Regular Decision deadline used by some colleges.
  • Mid-March to early April 2027: most Regular Decision results.
  • May 1, 2027: National Candidates Reply Date, the usual deadline to accept an offer and pay a deposit.

How to plan your essays around the deadlines

  1. 1List every college with its plan and exact deadline, and sort by date.
  2. 2Finish the Common App personal essay first. It goes to every college on the list, so it must be ready by your earliest deadline.
  3. 3Group supplemental essays by type (why us, community, major) so one draft can be adapted for several colleges.
  4. 4Leave two weeks before each deadline for revision and a second reader.
  5. 5Submit a few days early. Portals slow down on deadline days, and recommendation letters and test scores arrive separately.

Read next: Supplemental essays · How to write a college essay

Deadlines people miss

  • Scholarship and honors program deadlines, which are often earlier than the general deadline.
  • Financial aid forms such as the CSS Profile, which some private colleges require on their own dates.
  • Portfolio, audition or interview sign-up dates for arts and some specialized programs.
  • Time zones: an 11:59 p.m. deadline is usually in the applicant's local time, but some colleges set it in their own. Check.
  • Mid-year reports and updates your school counselor sends after you apply.

Read next: How to write a scholarship essay · How to write a transfer essay

Free toolCommon App word counterCheck every essay against its limit before the deadline.

Questions

When are college applications due?

For fall 2027 entry, most early deadlines are November 1 or November 15, 2026, and most regular deadlines fall between January 1 and January 15, 2027. Some colleges use February 1 or rolling admission. Always check each college's own page.

When is the UC application due for fall 2027?

The University of California filing period for fall 2027 runs from October 1 to November 30, 2026. The UC uses its own application, not the Common App, with four Personal Insight Questions of up to 350 words each.

Is Early Decision binding?

Yes. If you are admitted through Early Decision, you agree to attend and withdraw your other applications, with exceptions usually limited to financial aid that makes attending impossible. Early Action is not binding.

When should I start my college essay?

The summer before senior year is ideal, ideally by August 1 when the Common App opens. If you are applying early, aim for a full draft by early October so you have time to revise before November 1.

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