In this post, we have aggregated the Class of 2026 Early Decision Notification Dates. Read Class of 2027 Early Round (EA/ED) Notification Dates (2022 – 2023 Admission Cycle).

Class of 2026 Early Decision Notification Dates

Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates for the 2021-22 Application Season

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Please Note: Expect these dates to change as we draw closer to mid-December. Check back regularly for updated dates and times

Most colleges do not notify ED and EA applicants of admission until 15th December. Because of the usual deadlines for applications, this means that if a student is rejected by the ED college, there are only two weeks left to send in other applications. Hence, it’s wise to keep an eye on these early decision notification dates.

Why Apply Early?

Just have a look at the data below:

Applying early demonstrates your sincere passion for the school. It shows that you are prepared to commit to attending that college or university—or, at the very least, that the school is among your top choices. Plus, you’re compared to a smaller pool of applicants.

Another benefit of applying early is finding out whether you’ve been admitted to your top choice(s) early in the process. This reduces the stress and anxiety of waiting and gives you more time to make your college plans. You’ll also get a head start on finding housing, planning your finances, and even stocking up on gear from your future school.

Benefits of Applying to the Early Decision Round

Admission rates are higher in this pool than regular admissions but this is a serious decision for a number of reasons. 

• First, the pool is far more competitive and will be composed of top students.  You can only apply to ONE ED school. 
• Second, the deadlines are much earlier than regular admissions, typically early to mid-November.  So you need to do everything sooner while continuing to work on your other college applications.  ED decisions typically come in mid-December. 
• Lastly, if financial aid is an important factor the ramifications of ED are important.

Advantages of Early Action Round

• If you are not ready to commit to the binding decision of ED, you should consider Early Action (EA) or SCEA (Single Choice or Restricted Early Action).  Your admissions chances do increase in this pool as well but are more competitive as well. 
• This round is particularly favorable for legacy students who wish to leverage their status.  EA and SCEA students will typically receive their decisions in mid-December but there may be restrictions about where else you can apply. 
• If applying EA, students can still apply in the Regular Decision pool or do EA to other schools, but SCEA students can only apply Regular Decision to other institutions.  SCEA students must wait until they get their decision before applying EA or EDII unless it is a public university.

Alternatives (Back-Up Options)

There is another option to consider Early Decision II (ED2).  ED2 is also a binding option, meaning you have to attend if accepted.  The difference between ED and ED2 is timing. 

Most colleges offering both options ask ED I, students, to apply by mid-November, and they give decisions by mid-December. The deadline for ED II, on the other hand, is on or around Jan. 1. Students typically have a decision in late January or early February. 

Also, if you are deferred or denied at your EA school, you can pursue your ED chances at another college with ED2.  ED2 is a great strategy for students who are strong applicants but may need additional time to get their applications in top shape. ED2 can also help students leverage their legacy status if they have it to have the best chance of admission without the stress of the earlier deadline.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision deadlines are generally between January 1 and February 1, depending on the school. Applicants are notified of the admissions team’s decision by April 1, and they must respond signifying that they will or will not attend by May 1. Check out the Class of 2026 Regular Decision Notification Dates for Top 100 Colleges in the US.

Regular Decision is not an early-round application, and you’ll be compared to a larger pool of applicants. It is not binding, and you can apply for Regular Decision at as many schools as you would like.

Source of Featured Image: Niche