Hi everyone, your friendly, slightly-stressed junior here! I figured out I've got a ton of questions about the college enrollment process. When do most high school seniors typically enroll in college? Do most schools have a specific enrollment period?
Sure, I'd be happy to help clarify the college enrollment timeline. Typically, high school seniors apply to colleges in the fall of their senior year, with deadlines spanning from November through January for most schools. Students who apply through Early Action or Early Decision can expect to hear back as early as December, while the majority of Regular Decision notification letters are sent out in March and April.
Once accepted, students generally have until May 1st to make their final decision and submit their enrollment deposit to the institution they've chosen to attend. This date is known as National College Decision Day. After the May 1st deadline, enrollment is largely closed except for waitlist admits or rolling admission schools. Therefore, most high school seniors effectively enroll in their future college in the spring of their senior year and start classes in the subsequent fall. Does this help provide some clarity on the timeline?
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