Stepsies

College Decision Dates 2026–27: When Colleges Send Acceptance Letters

By Claire Whitaker Last updated How we check facts Use is subject to the terms: check each date with the school

In short

Early decisions for fall 2027 mostly arrive in mid-December 2026. Regular decisions mostly arrive from mid-March to early April 2027. University of California decisions come March 1–31, 2027. The usual date to accept an offer is May 1.

Decision dates at 20 colleges

Many colleges give a period, such as "mid-December", not a day. We show the college's own words.

College Early decisions arriveRegular decisions arrive
Harvard University Restrictive Early Action: mid-December end of March
Yale University Single-Choice Early Action: mid-December late March
Princeton University Single-Choice Early Action: mid-December late March
Stanford University Restrictive Early Action: mid-December early April
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Early Action: mid-December mid-March
Columbia University Early Decision: mid-December late March
University of Pennsylvania Early Decision: December April
Brown University Early Decision: mid-December early April
Dartmouth College Early Decision: mid-December late March or early April
Cornell University Early Decision: mid-December late March
Duke University Early Decision: mid-December late March/early April
Northwestern University Early Decision: December 2026 March 2027
University of Chicago Early Decision I: mid-December
Early Action: mid-December
Early Decision II: mid-February		 late March
Johns Hopkins University Early Decision I:
Early Decision II:
New York University Early Decision I:
Early Decision II:
Boston University Early Decision:
Early Decision II: 		not confirmed yet
University of Michigan Early Decision:
Early Action:
University of Virginia Early Decision:
Early Action:
Georgetown University Early Action:
University of Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action: not confirmed yet not confirmed yet

University of California

The UC campuses release fall 2027 decisions March 1–31, 2027; some campuses may release them earlier. Admitted students must submit their Statement of Intent to Register by .

The May 1 reply date

NACAC says: National Candidates Reply Date: Colleges should use the widely recognized date of May 1 as the earliest enrollment confirmation deadline. Binding early decision plans are an exception.

After decisions arrive

  1. Compare the aid offers.
    Put each college's net cost side by side: cost minus grants and scholarships.
  2. Reply to each college.
    Accept one offer by its deadline, and decline the others so another student can get the place.
  3. Decide on any waitlist.
    If you want to stay on a waitlist, say so in the college's portal by its date.

Questions families ask

When do colleges send acceptance letters?

Early decision and early action results usually come in mid-December. Regular decision results usually come from mid-March to early April. The University of California releases fall 2027 decisions in March 2027.

When do I have to accept an offer?

Most colleges use May 1 as the earliest date to confirm and pay a deposit. Early decision is an exception: if you are admitted, you must enroll, often with an earlier deposit.

What does deferred mean?

A deferral moves your early application into the regular round. The college decides again with the regular applicants, usually in March or April.

Sources

Colleges and agencies can change a date. Always check the official page before you submit.