‍Do you know when you’ll receive your Early Decision or Early Action notifications? Keep reading to find out!

College admission decisions are almost at the doorstep! Although most Regular Decision decision dates don’t come until spring, Early Action and Early Decision notifications for the Class of 2028 are well on their way.

Being aware of notification dates is an important part of creating your college application timeline. You need to know how much time you have to spare when applying to different schools, especially since applications can be very time-consuming!

Check out our extensive list below for all the 2023-2024 Early Action and Early Decision notification dates you need to know!

Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates (2023-2024)

To help streamline the college application process for you, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Early Decision and Early Action notification dates for the Class of 2028. This list is updated daily, so these dates may change as new information is released. Check back regularly for the most up-to-date info!

Read on for the 2023-2024 Early Decision/Early Action notification dates!

What Day Do Early Decisions Come Out?

Most schools release admission decisions for Early Decision and Early Action on or around December 15th. However, many schools that offer ED or EA II often choose dates in early to mid-February to release their second round of notifications.

EA and ED Trends

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges have seen a steady upward trend in the number of applicants applying through Early Action or Early Decision. According to the Common App, 53% of college applicants applied EA in 2022-23.

Top institutions have also reported significant ED growth. The University of Virginia, for instance, reached record-breaking ED/EA numbers for the Class of 2028. Ivy League schools have seen early application growth as well, with Dartmouth reporting a 45% ED increase in the past three years and Brown reporting a 10% increase for the Class of 2027.

What Happens Next?

After you submit your application, there are essentially three results you can receive: acceptance, deferral, or rejection. Here are some college application steps you can take after EA or ED decisions come out.

For students who have applied Early Decision:

If accepted: Congratulations! You can officially accept the offer and pay your enrollment deposit. Don’t forget to withdraw any applications to other schools.
If rejected: Handling ED results, if they’re negative, can be discouraging, but remember that you can still apply for Regular Decision or Early Decision II plans for other schools.
If deferred: You still have a chance of getting in after deferral. Follow the deferral instructions for your specific school, which may include sending a letter to the admission office or sending an update on your midterm achievements.

For students who have applied Early Action:

If accepted: Since EA plans are nonbinding, you may choose to wait to accept until May 1 and continue applying to other schools in the meantime.
If rejected: Don’t be discouraged; you can keep applying for other schools under Regular Decision or Early Decision II.
If deferred: Follow the deferral instructions for your specific school, which may include sending a letter to the admission office or sending an update on your midterm achievements.

FAQ's

Still have questions about the Early Action and Early Decision notification dates for the Class of 2028? Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding EA/ED decisions.

How Long Does It Take to Hear Back from ED?

The standard notification date for Early Decision and Early Action applications is December 15. Since early applications are normally due in November, you should receive a decision about four to six weeks after submitting your application.

Can I Still Apply Regular Decision if I Was Rejected in Early Decision?

Most schools do not allow you to apply again in the same admissions cycle if you were rejected in ED. However, in most cases, you can apply again as a freshman for the following year.

Is Being Deferred the Same as Being Rejected?

Being deferred does not mean being rejected. Rather, a deferral means that your application is still being considered but is being moved from the EA/ED pool to the pool of regular decision applicants.

When Are ED/EA Applications Due?

Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are almost always on November 1. Most colleges set their deadlines for November 1 or November 15, although some schools have a later deadline on December 1.