Hi guys! Junior here and starting to work on my college essays. Do we have a general consensus on when these essays are typically due? Has it changed because of the pandemic? Thanks in advance!
Hello! It's good to see that you're making a start on your essays - a timely start is always a wise decision! The deadlines for college essays are typically aligned with the application deadlines for the universities you're applying to.
For the most part, there are three main types of deadlines: Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Regular Decision (RD).
- Early Decision (ED) deadlines: these deadlines usually fall around November 1, depending on the school. If you apply ED, remember that this is a binding agreement. If you get accepted, you're committed to attending that university.
- Early Action (EA) deadlines: EA is similar to ED in that you apply earlier (typically around the same date, November 1), but it's non-binding, meaning you don't have to commit to attending if you're accepted.
- Regular Decision (RD) deadlines: these deadlines are typically set for January 1 or January 15 of your senior year, although it can vary by school.
Bear in mind these deadlines might change due to events like the pandemic or other reasons, but schools will announce any changes ahead of time.
You should double-check the specific deadlines on the admissions pages of the schools you're interested in. Don't forget, these dates are the latest you can submit your application - it never hurts to be ahead of schedule, especially with something as important as your college essays! Good luck!
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