Congratulations, seniors—you’ve made it past November 1! Take a breath and a well-deserved exhale. As one of the most common Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) application deadlines, November 1 marks a major milestone in the college admissions process. It represents the culmination of months of planning, essay writing, revising, and preparing.
The hardest part of the process is behind you, but once you press “submit,” you enter a new phase with its own challenges: the waiting period. So what should you do after submitting your Early Decision application? How do you balance taking a much-needed break with staying prepared for the next round of deadlines?
A quick refresher: Early Decision is a binding plan. If you’re admitted, you commit to enroll and must withdraw your other applications. Early Action is typically non-binding, so you can still weigh your options. Regular Decision (RD) is the standard, later deadline, usually in early January to early February.
When Do Early Decision Results Come Out?
Most colleges release Early Decision I decisions in mid-December. Many will state that ED decisions are released by December 15, though some arrive in the days leading up to then. Early Decision II decisions typically follow in February, and Early Action decision dates vary by school. You’ll find a sample of notification dates for the Class of 2031 in the table at the end of this article.
That means roughly six weeks pass between a November 1 deadline and your admissions decision, which can feel surprisingly long after months spent focused on getting your applications out the door.
At Top Tier Admissions, we encourage students to use this in-between period thoughtfully. Here are five ways to make the most of the weeks between submitting your ED applications and receiving your admissions decisions.
1. Take a Break and Celebrate Submitting Your Applications
Making it to this point is a win in itself, so give yourself permission to relax.
You have put an enormous amount of time, energy, and thought into your college applications, on top of a demanding semester of coursework, extracurricular commitments, and everything else on your schedule. That is no small accomplishment.
Take a moment to acknowledge how much you have done. Step away from your essays, spend time with friends and family, enjoy a favorite activity you may have had to pause for the last couple of months, and give yourself an opportunity to recharge.
The college admissions process is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking time to rest and reset is an important part of maintaining the energy and focus you’ll need for the weeks and months ahead.
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2. Keep Working on Your Regular Decision Applications
At the same time, don’t take your foot off the gas pedal yet. While you absolutely deserve a break, this is also an ideal time to get ahead on your remaining applications.
Regular Decision deadlines, for the most part, fall anywhere from early January to early February. That feels further away than it is, and you don’t want to lose momentum. A common mistake students make when applying Early Decision is waiting until they receive their ED decision in mid-December to start their RD applications. Resist this temptation! This is the perfect time to keep making meaningful progress.
Consider working on:
- Supplemental essays: Draft and revise supplemental essays for each school on your list, remembering to recycle material whenever possible to be most efficient.
- Common Application: Review your activities list and honors to make sure everything is polished and complete. Read your Personal Statement aloud one last time!
- Application details and final proofreading: Double-check requirements, deadlines, and any additional materials each college requests.
Ideally, you’ll be admitted to your Early Decision school and won’t need to submit the rest of your applications. But we’d much rather see you complete extra work that you ultimately don’t need than find yourself scrambling in mid-December to finish essays and applications you haven’t yet started, especially over winter break when you likely have less access to support and resources from your school counselor.
Having your Regular Decision applications largely complete before winter break gives you options, flexibility, and peace of mind.
3. Consider Applying Early Decision II
If you applied Early Decision I, it’s also worth considering whether Early Decision II (ED II) might make sense for you.
ED II is an opportunity to apply to another college through a binding Early Decision process, typically with a January deadline. Just as with ED I, if you are admitted, you are expected to enroll and withdraw your other applications. If you’re admitted to your ED I school, you’re committed to attending, and you won’t need to pursue ED II or Regular Decision applications elsewhere.
However, it’s smart to have a contingency plan. Think about whether there is another college on your list that you feel equally enthusiastic about and would genuinely be ready to attend if admitted. If so, ED II may be worth exploring.
4. Revisit Your College List and Application Strategy
The waiting period is also a good opportunity to step back and evaluate your overall college list.
Are you still excited about every school on your list? Have your academic interests or preferences changed? Are there any colleges you would like to add, remove, or research more carefully? Use this time to make sure your remaining applications reflect your current priorities and that your list offers a thoughtful range of options.
This is particularly important if you are considering ED II. You want to make that decision based on genuine enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the college, not simply because you are anxious to receive an acceptance.
5. Keep Your Senior Year Grades Strong
Throughout it all, do your best to avoid senioritis, and don’t let the excitement and anticipation of admissions decisions distract you from your schoolwork. Senior year grades matter, especially if you are deferred from any of your ED or EA schools. A deferral means your application moves into the Regular Decision pool for reconsideration, so your latest grades become part of the picture.
Stay engaged in your classes, maintain your academic momentum, and avoid the temptation to mentally check out now that your first applications are complete. Colleges are looking for students who remain invested in their education throughout senior year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Waiting for Early Decision Results
What should I do after submitting my Early Decision application?
Take time to rest, then keep working on your Regular Decision applications, consider Early Decision II, revisit your college list, and keep your senior-year grades strong. Staying productive during the wait means you won’t be scrambling over winter break if you’re deferred or denied.
When do Early Decision results come out?
Most colleges release Early Decision I decisions in mid-December, and many state a release date of December 15 or earlier. Early Decision II decisions typically arrive in February. Check each college’s admissions page for its exact date.
Is Early Decision binding?
Yes. If you are admitted under Early Decision (ED I or ED II), you are expected to enroll and to withdraw your other applications. Early Action, by contrast, is typically non-binding.
Should I still work on Regular Decision applications while I wait?
Yes. Regular Decision deadlines fall between early January and early February, and winter break offers less access to your school counselor. Finishing supplemental essays, your activities list, and final proofreading now gives you flexibility whatever your ED result.
Can I apply Early Decision II if I applied Early Decision I?
Yes, you can apply to a different college through Early Decision II, which typically has a January deadline. Because both plans are binding, if you’re admitted to your ED I school you’ll withdraw your other applications, including ED II. Review each college’s policy before applying.
What does it mean if I’m deferred from Early Decision?
A deferral means the college has not made a final decision and will reconsider your application in the Regular Decision pool. Keep your grades strong and finish your remaining applications, since you’ll want other options in place.
Make the Most of the Wait
Waiting for Early Decision results can be one of the most emotionally challenging parts of the college admissions process. After months of preparation, it’s natural to feel excited, nervous, and eager for an answer.
The key is to find a healthy balance: take time to celebrate what you’ve accomplished so far, but don’t lose sight of what comes next. By using this waiting period to rest, stay organized, complete your Regular Decision applications, and think strategically about ED II, you’ll put yourself in a much stronger position when mid-December arrives.
Need guidance on Regular Decision applications, Early Decision II, or what to do if you’re deferred? The counselors at Top Tier Admissions can help you plan your next steps. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates by College: Class of 2031
We’ve compiled a sample of Early Action and Early Decision notification dates so you can mark your calendars. In the table, EDI and EDII mean Early Decision I and II, and EA means Early Action. Each entry links to the college’s admissions page; dates can change, so confirm with the school.
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YOUR PATH FORWARD
As you move through these final weeks before early decisions are released, stay steady, stay thoughtful, and trust that there is a path forward that fits you.
If you receive the news you’ve been hoping for, we’ll celebrate with you! And if a deferral or denial comes your way, know that it’s not a stopping point, it’s simply a redirection. We encourage students facing a deferral to approach the next step strategically and confidently; our Deferral Boot Camp offers expert guidance on how to respond with strength and clarity.
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