You should apply for college for the fall 2026 academic year according to the following timeline:
- Most college applications open in August 2025.
- Early action and early decision deadlines are generally in October or November 2025.
- Regular decision deadlines are typically in January or February 2026.
- Rolling admissions have varying deadlines, often continuing into spring until spots fill.
Specifically:
- Early action/early decision deadlines: October/November 2025, with decisions by December 2025.
- Regular decision deadlines: January/February 2026, with decisions by March/April 2026.
- Rolling admissions: Varies by school, with decisions usually within 4-6 weeks of application.
Starting to prepare earlier is recommended (e.g., writing essays starting August 2025, requesting recommendation letters by June 2025). If aiming for early admission, submit applications by early to mid-November 2025. For regular admission, plan to apply by January 2026.
