Early Action is Over! Now What? Your College Admissions Checklist

Now that November 1st has passed—and most Early Action college application deadlines with it—what should students focus on next? Start by familiarizing yourself with each college’s admissions decision release timeline so you know when to expect updates and can plan your next steps accordingly.

Expected Decision Release Dates:

School	Early Action/Early Decision	Regular Decision
University of Texas Austin	January 15th	February 15th
Purdue University	January 15th	January 15th - March 31st
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	EA: January 29th ED: December 24th	April 2nd
UIUC	January 29th	February 26th
MIT	Mid-December	Mid-May
Columbia University	Mid-December	Late March
Georgia Institute of Technology	EA I: Early December EA II: Late January	Mid-March
University of California	N/A	March 1st - 31st
Rice University	ED I: Mid-December ED II: Late January	By April 1st
Baylor University	ED: December 15th EA: February 1st	May 1st
Washington University in St. Louis	ED I: December 11th EA: December 21st ED II: February 12th	April 1st
John Hopkins University	ED I: December 11th ED II: February 12th	March 24th
Stanford University	Mid-December	By Early April
Southern Methodist University	EA/ED I: Mid-Late December ED II: March 1st	Mid-late March

Next, from Regular Decision deadlines to financial aid forms and everything in between, today’s blog post outlines a helpful checklist seniors can follow for the rest of this application season.

• Work on applications for Regular Decision deadlines and consider Early Decision II

  A college’s Regular Decision (RD) deadline marks the final opportunity to submit your application—miss it, and you’ll have to wait until the next admission cycle to apply. For students who are interested in increasing their admissions chances or who have discovered their dream school, Early Decision II (ED II) can also be a great option when offered. Continue refining your application materials and essays for these deadlines. 

• Check portals and be proactive with admissions decisions

  Students who submitted Early Action (EA) should regularly check their admissions portals to ensure all required materials, including transcripts and recommendation letters, have been received. For example, Texas A&M applicants must submit their STARS (Self-Reported Academic Record) for their application to be considered complete. Colleges may also offer opportunities to schedule alumni interviews, upload updated resumes or portfolios, or submit additional materials to strengthen your application. 

  
  

  As early decisions arrive, students should be prepared for their next steps:

  • Accepted: Congratulations! Continue maintaining strong senior-year grades, as some colleges require final grade reports.

  • Rejected: Reassess your college list and consider applying to additional RD schools to increase your chances of admission.

  • Deferred or Waitlisted: Submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) or an admissions update form if the school allows for this. Check out this B2A blog post for more information.

• Fill out the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to determine your eligibility for federal and institutional financial aid. Be proactive about searching and applying for scholarships to help reduce college costs. Every opportunity counts!

• Expand your extracurriculars in meaningful ways 

  Continue building your profile through meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership opportunities, and competitions. New accomplishments and updates can strengthen your RD and ED II applications and be sent to update schools if you are deferred or waitlisted.

• Prioritize schoolwork

  Maintaining strong grades during senior year is essential! When you apply RD or ED II, most colleges will review fall semester grades through mid-year reports, so stay focused academically. If you have an off-block, use the extra time productively by pursuing an internship, research opportunity, or part-time job. Be sure to provide context for how you’re using this time in the Additional Information section of your applications.

Need assistance with next steps after applying or preparing for RD or ED II deadlines? Schedule 1:1 College Admissions Sessions with one of our experienced college consultants for individualized guidance on what to focus on senior year! Our counselors can help with essay drafting, writing letters of continued interest, interview preparation, and how to proceed after receiving admissions decisions.