When can you start applying for college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior right now, and I've always been curious when I should start applying for colleges. When do most applications open? And what's the best time to submit them?

The college application process generally begins during your senior year of high school, with applications opening in the summer or early fall. Most applications are submitted during the first half of your senior year.

For most colleges and universities, applications open around August 1st. The Common Application and the Coalition Application, which are online platforms used by many schools, typically open on this date as well.

As for submission deadlines, there are different types of application plans to be aware of:

1. Early Action (EA): This non-binding plan typically has a deadline of November 1st or November 15th. You will receive your admissions decision in December or January. If admitted, you have the option of accepting the offer or waiting until May 1st (National College Decision Day) to decide.

2. Early Decision (ED): This binding plan also has deadlines of November 1st or November 15th. Admission decisions are usually sent in December. If accepted, you are committed to attending that college and must withdraw any other applications.

3. Regular Decision (RD): Deadlines for regular decision applications usually fall between January 1st and February 1st. Decisions are sent in late March or April, and you have until May 1st to make your final decision.

4. Rolling Admissions: Some colleges offer rolling admissions, which means they review applications as they come in, and there is no specific deadline. However, it's advisable to apply as early as possible to increase your chances of acceptance.

It's generally better to submit your applications earlier rather than later, as it demonstrates your interest and organization. Just ensure you are submitting well-prepared and thoroughly reviewed applications. Take the summer before your senior year to work on essays and gather necessary materials so you're ready to apply when applications open, especially if you plan to apply Early Action or Early Decision.