Hi guys. I have been curious about this for a long time, and I’m finally asking it. I’m applying Early Decision to a school (UPenn CAS), and non-binding Early Action to 3 schools (UChicago, Northeastern, and UMass Amherst). Luckily I started my application very early and should be ready to submit all four of them by late September/early October. I know that the decision day is December 15 for a majority of schools for the early round. My question is, if I apply earlier, let’s say, by October 18 (but could be anywhere from late September on), will I receive a decision before December 1st, or will they simply hold mine longer and still tell me on the 15th? The reason I ask is because a couple of schools I am applying to in the RD round (if I get there) have December 1st deadlines (for scholarships) and I would rather not pay the fee and apply if I hear back from Penn or UChicago. Thanks. Also, if it helps to know, I do not have to take any more standardized tests (or anything else that would prevent me from applying earlier).
Normally all EA, ED, or RD decisions are released at once on the same day. The exception is schools that do rolling admissions, but none of the colleges you mentioned use that system.
Good luck!
@NickP96 Thanks for responding! Actually, the thing that made me wonder was that I read that someone said on this thread that they applied to Columbia University on August 1st (the day the common app came out), and they received their decision on August 10th. So I didn’t know if they just sometimes release decisions early if you apply earlier in the process.
The anecdote about someone receiving an Aug 10th decision must be incorrect. The Ivies all have joint decision announcement times. All EA/ED decisions come out ~Dec 15 and all RD decisions are on the same day, the end of March. Even athletic recruits cannot receive Likely Letters earlier than Oct 1st.
I’m positive that Chgo also abides by the mid Dec notification date. I’m sorry but you’ll have to pay the fees for those Dec 1st scholarship/college apps
News flash - some people have been known to lie.
@T26E4 is correct; for Ivy League schools, there will be no decisions sent before mid-December.
@skieurope and @T26E4 Okay thanks for clearing this up. It’s not that big of a deal in reality. So just to clarify, there would be no advantage in applying October 1st vs October 31st?
None whatsoever.
Excellent. Thank you for clearing this up for me.
As long as you see no last minute value to editing, send it in when you’re ready. Now you’ve got to choose Penn or Chgo. Good luck!
@T26E4 Thank you! Penn is my first choice for sure, and I think I have a better chance with ED (and I’m also a legacy student. Fingers crossed! 
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