Common App Deadlines Explained: ED, EA, and RD

If you’re applying to college through the Common App, the hardest part often isn’t the essays — it’s keeping every deadline straight across a dozen schools. Here’s what the main application rounds mean and how to plan around them.

Early Decision (ED)

Early Decision is binding: if you’re admitted, you commit to enroll and withdraw your other applications. ED deadlines are usually November 1, with decisions in mid-December. Apply ED only to a clear first choice.

Early Action (EA)

Early Action is non-binding — you apply early (often November 1) and hear back early, but you’re not obligated to attend. Some schools use Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action, which limits applying early elsewhere.

Regular Decision (RD)

Regular Decision is the standard round, typically due January 1–5, with decisions in March or early April. It gives you the most time to strengthen your application.

Keep every deadline in one place

Each college sets its own dates and supplements, so the real challenge is tracking them together. That’s exactly what AppSeasons does — every deadline, plus the essays and recommendations behind it, in one shared checklist with reminders.