How does college decision day work?

Hi! I'm a rising junior and I'm trying to understand the college application process. What happens on college decision day? Is it when colleges send out their decisions, or is it when I have to make MY decision? Thanks in advance.

Hi there,

I see where your confusion might come from, as the term "college decision day" can refer to two different types of days.

Firstly, "decision day" often refers to the dates when colleges release their admission decisions. These days vary widely from college to college. Some colleges have rolling admissions, where they release decisions as they are made throughout the year. Autumn and winter are common times for colleges to send out decisions, especially for early action or early decision applicants.

However, when people reference "College Decision Day", they are usually referring to May 1st. This is the day by which most colleges in the U.S. require accepted students to make their final college choice and submit a deposit to secure their spot. This day is also called "National College Decision Day." Some colleges might offer extensions or have different decision days, but May 1st is the norm for many.

So, to clarify, college decision day typically refers to the day you, as a student, have to decide which college offer to accept. It's always good to check with each college you're applying to for their specific dates and deadlines. Good luck with the application process!