What is the typical deadline to apply for college?

Though each college establishes its own admissions deadline, most regular decision applications are due between January 1 and February 1. Early college admissions are generally due November 1 or 15, though some colleges have a second deadline for early applicants, normally around January 1.

Early college admissions refers to both early action (nonbinding) and early decision (binding) applications. Transfer applications are due later, typically May 1, and schools with rolling admissions accept applications until spots are filled, though submitting March 1 or earlier is recommended. Each college publishes exact deadlines and instructions on its website during the summer or early fall.