When will college admission results be released?

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Expanded Question:
“Hello, I’m an applicant for the undergraduate admissions cycle at [University Name] this year, having submitted my application by the priority deadline on November 1st. I’m very excited about the possibility of joining your institution and have been eagerly awaiting an update. Could you kindly please let me know when admission decision results for the regular decision pool are typically released this year? I want to ensure I’m aware of the exact timeline and any specific portals or notifications I should monitor in the coming weeks.”

College admission results are released on a wide range of dates, which vary significantly depending on the country, the type of educational institution, the specific college or university, and the student’s application status (early decision, regular decision, etc.).

There is no single date for all colleges. Instead, the release dates operate on a cycle throughout the academic year, typically peaking in the winter and spring.

Here is a detailed breakdown of when results are generally released:

I. By Application Plan and Timeline

The most significant factor influencing when you get your results is the plan you applied under.

1. Early Decision (ED) / Early Action (EA)

These plans have much earlier deadlines and, consequently, much earlier notification dates.

  • Early Decision I (ED I):
    • Application Deadline: Usually November 1st or 15th.
    • Release Date: Typically mid-December.
  • Early Action (EA):
    • Application Deadline: Similar to ED I, usually November 1st or 15th (some have a November 1st or 15th option).
    • Release Date: Also typically mid-December, but some top-tier schools may release decisions in late January to align with their Regular Decision process.
  • Early Decision II (ED II) / Restrictive Early Action (REA):
    • Application Deadline: Usually January 1st or 5th.
    • Release Date: Typically in mid-to-late January or early February.

2. Regular Decision (RD)

This is the standard application plan for the largest number of students.

  • Application Deadline: The vast majority of colleges use January 1st as their deadline. Other common deadlines include January 15th, February 1st, and even as late as March 1st or March 15th.
  • Release Date:
    • The most common notification window is from March to May.
    • A cluster of highly competitive universities release decisions on the same day, often referred to as “Ivy Day,” which has traditionally been the third Thursday in March (around March 21st-28th). For admissions in the Fall of 2024, decisions were released on March 28th, 2024. The date for Fall 2025 admissions is expected to be similar.
    • Public University Systems: Public university systems with multiple campuses (e.g., University of California, Texas A&M University, University of Michigan) often have centralized deadlines and release dates for their entire systems, frequently falling in late January, February, or early March.

3. Rolling Admission

Under rolling admission, applications are reviewed as they are received, and decisions are sent out on a continuous basis, not on a single date.

  • No Set Deadline: Most rolling admission schools do not have a hard deadline but do have a priority deadline (often in February or March) to ensure full consideration for financial aid and housing.
  • Release Date: Decisions for rolling admission applications can be released as quickly as two to four weeks after your submitted application is deemed complete. If you apply by November, you might get a decision in December.

II. By Geographic Region

College calendars are often aligned with the academic cycles of their respective countries.

United States

The timeline detailed above for Early Decision and Regular Decision is almost exclusively used in the United States. The peak season for decisions is March and April, with enrollment deposits typically due by May 1st.

United Kingdom

Admissions in the UK follow a much earlier and more centralized process.

  • Application Deadline: The main deadline for undergraduate applications through UCAS is January 15th for most courses.
  • Release Date: Decisions are typically released between mid-February and the end of March.
  • Conditional Offers: You often receive a conditional offer, meaning your admission is based on your final exam scores (like A-Levels, IB, or Scottish Highers).
  • Final Confirmation: You must meet the conditions of your offer and confirm your firm and insurance choices by May 5th.

Canada

Canadian universities generally follow a similar model to the U.S., though often on a slightly different schedule.

  • Application Deadlines: Usually fall between January and March, though some programs have earlier deadlines.
  • Release Date: Offers of admission typically start being sent out in early spring (March to April) and continue through May and June. Some schools may make offers starting as early as February.

Australia

The Australian academic year begins in February or March, so their admissions cycle is earlier.

  • Application Deadline: For a semester starting in February, applications are often due between September and November of the previous year.
  • Release Date: Offers for a February start are usually sent out from September to December.

III. How to Find Your Exact Result Date

The most reliable way to know for sure is to check where you applied.

  1. The College’s Website: Every college’s admissions office webpage will have an “Important Dates,” “Application Deadlines,” or “Notifications” section that is updated every year for the upcoming cycle. This is the most accurate source.
  2. Your Application Portal: Log into the application portal where you submitted your materials (Common Application, Coalition Application, or the university’s own portal). Admissions offices often post notifications about decision release dates and times directly within the portal.
  3. Admissions Office Email: Your primary contact with the admissions office is usually via email. They will send important updates, including the decision release timeline, to the email you provided on your application.
  4. Direct Contact: If you cannot find the information, you can contact the admissions office directly by phone or email to ask for the specific release date.

Published: October 23, 2025