While applying for US universities, timing plays a very important role in the application process. A good application to study in USA takes months to complete. When an applicant starts preparing and when to submit everything, depends on the application deadlines to study in USA. The application deadline for the top universities in USA might differ, but every institute in USA offers admission within 4 distinct application deadlines, namely, regular decision, early action, early decision, and rolling admissions.

For each of the above deadlines, a student can apply in the terms of fall, spring or summer semester. The top universities in USA welcome the maximum number of international students in the fall term. Most of the deadlines for fall and summer semesters are the same whereas spring semester deadlines are rarely available in the early decision option. It isn’t necessary that each university in USA offers all options. The number of deadlines offered also differs from university to university.
Know more: Estimated budget for international students in USA

Intakes in USA

International students are offered admission to some of the top USA on the basis of early application. Students must be prepared to apply for admission by the date of application opening as the immigration process might consume some extra time. This might result in the student missing the classes due to late application. Following are the popular academic terms in USA and the common regular application time-period observed by the universities in USA.

Read More About:

• Spring Intake in USA
• Summer Intake Universities in USA
• Fall Intake in USA

Study in the USA: Regular Decision Application Deadlines

Regular decision application sessions are preferred by most international students. These deadlines usually fall in the beginning of January. The most common regular decision deadlines in the USA are January 1 and January 15. These can differ slightly depending on different courses and universities in USA.

Most applicants apply in early January and get confirmation about admission in March or April. One advantage of regular decision application is that a student can apply to as many universities as he/she wants.

Regular Decision Deadlines for Top Universities in USA

While applying to a university in USA, it is always recommended to submit the application a bit early before the deadline. Usually, Admission officers review all the applications together after the application deadline. However, submitting the application will not overcome any deficiency but it can surely be an indication of you being very much organized.

There are a few universities whose regular decision application deadlines are in the months of February, March, April, May, June, July, and even September. These universities have been listed below.

Spring Deadlines of Popular Universities to Study in the USA

Spring semester deadlines are mostly available in the regular application option. Most universities’ deadlines for spring semester admission fall in October or November. But it is advisable to send in the complete application package to the university by the end of August. Sending in the application a month or two before the deadline indicates a sense of eagerness to join the university which has a positive impact on admission officers.

Early Action Deadlines to Study in the USA

Early action deadlines push the application timeline early by a few months. The most common early action deadlines offered by universities and colleges are November 1 and November 15. Students are recommended to go through the application process to study in the U.S.A carefully before applying for the course.

Under early action application, a student is either accepted, rejected or deferred. When a student is deferred, it means that his/her application will be re-evaluated in the regular applicant pool. The results are notified in December.

There are certain schools that have a restrictive early action application policy that prevents an applicant from applying to more than one school. A few of these schools are

• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Yale University
• Stanford University
• University of Notre Dame

Early Action Deadlines of Top Universities in USA

Although early action applications already bring the deadlines early, still it is always advisable to not wait for the deadline date to submit the application.

Early Decision Deadlines to Study in the USA

A major difference between early action and early decision application is that early decision applications are binding. When a student chooses an early decision application to study in the USA, they are expected to sign a contract with the school that they would take admission to if selected.

This contract puts a compulsion on students to attend the school if selected. This option is mostly selected by students who are sure about their choice. The students opting ED are expected to commit before exploring the financial aid opportunities of the school. The applicant must not depend on scholarships to finance his/her studies if opting ED.
Explore: Intakes in USA

Early decision application deadlines are of 2 types- ED I and ED II. ED I deadlines usually coincide with early action deadlines whereas ED II deadlines fall in January. Results are notified in February for both ED I and ED II.

Early Decision Deadlines of Popular Universities in the USA

Following are the universities to study in USA, offering admission through the intakes of an early decision I and II:

It is recommended by almost all universities that international students should apply at the earliest for admission to their targeted university. However, after the application deadline, a few universities offer admission to study in USA on a first-come-first-serve basis depending upon seat availability.