When should I apply?

What is Early Decision and Early Action?

Some colleges provide Early Decision or Early Action deadlines for applications, which are earlier dates than the normal admissions process. 

Early Decision is a binding contract, not to be taken lightly, as schools honor one another's binding agreements.  If you renege on an Early Decision obligation, it is unlikely another school will accept you.  You are only allowed to submit 1 Early Decision application; you may submit applications to other schools under regular admissions, but you must agree to withdraw all those applications if you are accepted to your Early Decision school.

Early Action (or Early Admission) is non-binding, meaning even if you are accepted, you are free to apply to other schools.  You should, however, check with your school to see if they allow you to apply to other colleges under the Early Action option.  Single Choice Early Action specifically requires that students not make Early Action applications to other schools.  All Early Action applicants are free to apply elsewhere under the regular admissions round.

What are the benefits of applying Early Decision or Early Action?

• Earlier notification of admission decision
• Families can have more time to make plans for housing, financial aid, etc.
• Universities tend to admit a significantly higher percentage of early applicants
• The most selective colleges currently admit 25%-50% of total students from early admission pool*
• Many schools offer various incentives for doing early admissions

Should I apply Early Decision or Early Action if available?

Early Decision and Early Action options are only recommended to a student:

1. who is sure of what school they want to go to
2. who has thoroughly researched the college and the programs it has to offer
3. whose junior year grades, extracurricular activities, SAT/ACT scores, etc. are strong enough to secure admission
4. who can commit himself to 4 years and thousands of dollars to 1 school

Early Decision and Early Action decisions should only be made with the best possible information and advice, and without being under pressure.

What is the preferred times to apply to the universities?

With current budget cuts in the State University System, it is highly recommended that students apply as early as possible within the senior year.  Check your school's website for the their 1st round of decisions deadline.  A highly qualified student that applies later in the year, even prior to the deadline, may be denied based on space issues.

FAMU   Prior to February 1st

FAU     Fall Senior Year

FGCU  September 1 - November 15

FIU      September - March

FSU     August 1- December 1

NCF     Prior to December 1; February 15

UCF     Fall Senior Year

UF       Summer after Junior Year

UNF     Fall Senior Year

USF     Prior to December 31

UWF    Fall Senior Year