As we kick off the 2025 Pascack Hills school year, let’s delve into various aspects of academics, including college preparation. Here are some important deadlines, decisions, and their meanings.
Early Action
Most colleges offer the option to apply “early action.” The early action option means that you’ll both apply earlier and hear back sooner compared to regular admission dates. Early action also gives applicants a better acceptance rate, as their applications are reviewed first. The most common deadlines for early action applications are November 1st and November 15th. However, some schools have earlier deadlines, such as October 15th, for Clemson University, Georgia Tech, and more. To find the specific dates for colleges you are eyeing for early admission, check the institution’s website. A full list of early admission applicable colleges can be found through this link.
Regular Decision
The regular decision application option is the most popular among students. The most common deadline months for regular application decisions are January and February. Specific dates, like January 1st, January 15th, and early February, are mostly what to look out for. Most acceptance decisions will be released in March and April. However, keep in mind that California’s University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems have a deadline of December 1st.
Early Decision
Many colleges also offer the option to apply “early decision.” This is a binding decision stating that if accepted, you will attend that school. It gives students a significantly higher chance of being accepted, so many students only apply this way to their number 1 choice. The most common early decision application deadlines are November 1st, and November 15th.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA, is a program that allows students to apply for federal financial aid to help cover college expenses. It is free to apply and fill out the form, so why not do it! The deadline for New Jersey is April 15, 2026, by 11 p.m. Central time (CT). To apply, visit this form. To make any corrections or updates to your form, there is a deadline of 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 12, 2027.
With all of these deadlines coming up quickly, it’s important to be on the lookout, and good luck seniors.
