After You’ve Been Accepted FAQ

How long does it take for an acceptance letter to be sent out?

There’s no standard for how long it takes colleges to send out acceptance letters, but generally, if you applied under regular decision, you can expect letters to begin arriving between mid-March and mid-April.

What is the last day to accept college offers?

Most colleges give you until May 1 to make your acceptance decision if you applied under regular decision or early action, although it is extremely important to double-check with your college to make sure it doesn't have a different date.

If you applied under early decision, then your acceptance to your choice college is binding and, typically, May 1 is the deadline for your deposit.

How do I know if I've been accepted to college?

Hang in there—you’ll know soon enough! Colleges that accept you will usually notify you of your acceptance between mid-March and mid-April, either through an email or as an update on your college application portal.

When should you accept a college offer?

You should accept a college offer once you decide for certain that the college accepting you aligns with your desires, goals, and personality. It’s important to research each college that accepts you to learn more about it and see if it’s the best fit for you.

Do I have to decline college offers?

Technically, you do not have to officially decline a college acceptance. If you ignore a college acceptance letter, admissions will consider that the same as a rejection. However, it's more respectful to decline. This generally only requires a few minutes to log in to the school's online system and reject the admission offer. Doing so will also free up an opportunity for another student on the college's acceptance waitlist.