Class of 2028 Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates

The college application process is an exciting and nerve-wracking time in students’ and parents’ lives. For those of you hoping to get an Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), or Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) application decision, we will try to keep you as up to date as possible.

Why Is Early Decision (ED) a Good Decision?

Many students opt for the Early Decision (ED) option, which allows them to apply to their dream school with the hope of securing a spot before Regular Decision applicants. Because students are 100% committed to a school by signing an Early Decision agreement, colleges often offer a higher rate of admission during their ED round. Colleges give these students a greater chance of admission because their yield rate, or their chances of enrolling at that school, are 100%—and colleges care a great deal about their yield rate. However, for students and parents alike, the wait for ED release dates can be agonizing. In this post, we’ll briefly dicuss the importance of Early Decision applications and provide a list of some popular schools’ release dates for 2023 for the incoming college Class of 2028!

What Are the Benefits of Early Action?

Some schools offer Early Action (EA), which does not commit students to attending that school. It simply lets students know whether or not they have been admitted before the end of the March Regular Decision round. However, EA decision rates are less predictable. EA decisions are also not promised by December 15 and are often not released until January, at which time you would have already needed to submit all or most of your Regular Decision applications. In addition, some schools that offer EA are larger schools that have several decision release dates, and so, many applicants will not hear from a particular school on the same date, making waiting even more stressful. The great news is that once you get into an EA school, you know you are in but you can also still wait to hear back from other schools.

What Is Single-Choice Early Action?

Schools offering Single-Choice Early Action require students not to apply to any other binding ED or EA schools in that round. Students applying Single-Choice Early Action can apply to public institutions that offer EA, and they can apply to schools that have decision dates after January 1^st, which is generally the deadline for most schools’ Regular Decision or Early Decision II rounds.

Only a few schools offer Single-Choice Early Action (sometimes called Restrictive Early Action). These are schools that have such a high yield that they feel comfortable not locking in students to their school the way that Early Decision does.

Class of 2028 Early Decision, Early Action and Single-Choice Early Action Notification Dates

Most colleges typically inform Early Decision and Single-Choice Early Action applicants of their admission status by around December 15. Given the regular application deadlines, this means that if a student is not accepted by their Early Decision college, they will have just about two weeks left to submit other applications. Of course, we recommend that students have all of their application materials completed before December 15 for every college on their lists, so they can be ready for all scenarios on December 15. Now let’s take a look at some of the most up-to-date release dates for the 2023-2024 application cycle. As mentioned, Early Action dates are less predictable and many may come in December, while others may not come out until January.

With the college admissions season well underway, these early announcements are right around the corner. In an effort to keep you informed, we have compiled a brief chart outlining the Early Decision, Early Action, and Single-Choice Early Action notification dates for the Class of 2028. (Please note that these dates are approximate and subject to change, so it’s essential to check the specific schools’ official websites for the most current information).

We will update this chart regularly, especially as we get more clarity on dates in December, so please continue to check back as it gets closer.

Final Thoughts

Choosing to apply ED, EA, or SCEA can be advantageous for students seeking admission to their dream schools. The promise of a quicker decision and the potential admission advantage make it an appealing option for many. As you eagerly await your early notification release dates in 2023 (or early 2024), be sure to stay informed and prepare yourself for whatever outcome awaits. Regardless of the decision, your journey to higher education is just beginning, and remember that there are many exciting opportunities ahead!

About The Author

Dr. Rachel Rubin

Dr. Rachel Rubin is the co-founder of Spark Admissions and a highly accomplished college admissions consultant. With a doctorate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where she was a Presidential Scholar, Dr. Rubin combines her academic expertise with her experience on admissions committees at selective universities. A former university faculty member and high school teacher, she understands the needs of adolescents and excels in guiding them through the admissions process, from identifying best-fit colleges to refining application essays. A U.S. Presidential Scholar and member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Dr. Rubin has helped hundreds of students achieve acceptance to their top-choice schools.

See author's posts