How RD Release Dates Shape the College Odyssey + RD Release Dates

The Waiting Game

For high school seniors, the college application process is a journey filled with anticipation, hard work, and a fair share of nail-biting moments. After meticulously crafting personal statements, gathering recommendation letters, and fine-tuning resumes, the waiting game begins.

The Common App Countdown

Many students opt for the Common Application to streamline the college application process. As the submission deadline passes, the countdown to RD release dates begins. The Common App portal transforms from a canvas for personal stories to a digital hourglass, ticking down to the moment when decisions are revealed.

The Email Inbox Refresh

In the days leading up to the release date, the email inbox becomes a battleground of nerves. Every notification could be the portal to a future filled with excitement or a momentary setback. The refresh button becomes a loyal companion as students anxiously await the email that will shape their future.

The Rollercoaster of Emotions

RD release day is a rollercoaster of emotions. The morning is filled with a mix of excitement, anxiety, and perhaps a touch of caffeine-induced restlessness. Friends and family offer support, but the weight of the moment rests squarely on the shoulders of the applicants.

The Click That Changes Everything

Finally, the moment arrives. With a deep breath and a click of the mouse, the college portal opens. The words "View Decision" or "Check Status" loom large on the screen. Time seems to stand still as the cursor hovers over the button. And then, with a click, the future is revealed.

Celebrations and Commiserations

For some, the news is a cause for celebration. Tears of joy, shouts of triumph, and a flood of congratulatory messages follow. For others, it may be a moment of disappointment. But in the midst of it all, the resilience and strength of each student shine through. If you are waitlisted - do not lose hope! This the perfect opportunity to draft a letter of continued interest to demonstrate that you are still willing and excited at the prospect of attending that school.

The Next Chapter

Regardless of the outcome, RD release dates mark the beginning of a new chapter. Acceptance letters open the door to exciting opportunities, while rejection letters offer valuable lessons in resilience and determination. The college application process is not just about the destination; it's about the journey and the growth that comes with it.

So, to all the high school seniors awaiting RD release dates, take a deep breath, embrace the nerves, and remember that this is just one step on the path to a bright future. Whether the news is a resounding "yes" or a temporary setback, the adventure is just beginning.

Here are some release dates for Regular Decision applicants this cycle:

  • American University: March 13, 2025

  • Amherst College: Late March

  • Barnard College: Late March

  • Bates College: By April 1

  • Boston College: March 18, 2025

  • Boston University: Late March

  • Bowdoin College: Mid-March

  • Brandeis University: April 1, 2025

  • Brown University: Early April

  • Bucknell University: March 13, 2025

  • California Institute of Technology: March 8, 2025

  • Carleton College: March 13, 2025

  • Carnegie Mellon University: April 1, 2025

  • Case Western University: March 15, 2025

  • Claremont McKenna College: April 1, 2025

  • Colby College: April 1, 2025

  • Colgate University: March 21, 2025

  • College of William & Mary: By April 1

  • Colorado College: March 13, 2025

  • Columbia University: Late March

  • Cornell University: Late March

  • Dartmouth College: March 27, 2025

  • Davidson College: April 1, 2025

  • Duke University: Late March/Early April

  • Emory University: April 1, 2025

  • Fordham University: March 14, 2025

  • Georgia Tech: March 7, 2025 (in-state), March 28, 2025 (out-of-state)

  • George Washington University: April 1, 2025

  • Georgetown University: April 1, 2025

  • Grinnell College: Late March

  • Hamilton College: March 20, 2025

  • Harvard University: Late March

  • Harvey Mudd College: March 15, 2025

  • Haverford College: March 14, 2025

  • Johns Hopkins University: March 21, 2025

  • Lehigh University: Late March

  • Middlebury College: March 15, 2025

  • MIT: March 14, 2025

  • New York University: April 1, 2025

  • Northeastern University: March 12, 2025

  • Northwestern University: March 26, 2025

  • Pomona College: April 1, 2025

  • Princeton University: Late March

  • Rice University: April 1, 2025

  • Sarah Lawrence College: March 6, 2025

  • Stanford University: Early April

  • Swarthmore College: March 21, 2025

  • Syracuse University: Late March

  • Tufts University: March 20, 2025

  • Tulane University: February 28, 2025

  • University of California-Berkeley: March 27, 2025

  • University of California-Los Angeles: Late March

  • University of Chicago: March 14, 2025

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst: March 7, 2025

  • University of Miami: March 14, 2025

  • University of Michigan: Early April

  • University of North Carolina: March 31, 2025

  • University of Notre Dame: March 18, 2025

  • University of Pennsylvania: By April

  • University of Richmond: March 14, 2025

  • University of California, San Diego: March 14, 2025

  • University of Southern California: March 26, 2025

  • University of Virginia: March 14, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University: Late March

  • Vassar College: Late March/Early April

  • Villanova University: March 21, 2025

  • Wake Forest: April 1, 2025

  • Washington and Lee University: April 1, 2025

  • Washington University in St. Louis: March 13, 2025

  • Wellesley College: Late March

  • Wesleyan University: Late March

  • Yale University: March 27, 2025

Hafeez Lakhani