Top Colleges with Late Application Deadlines
Are you a senior in high school wondering, “Is it too late to apply for college?” If so, don’t worry. The answer is no! However, if you haven’t started applying, you’ll want to look into colleges with late application deadlines. Some of the most selective colleges indeed close their applications at the start of the calendar year. But it’s also true that there are many excellent colleges still accepting applications.
For those of you who have already started applying to colleges, this article is still for you. There are many reasons why you may be curious about universities that are still open for application. This guide is for anyone interested in exploring late application deadlines, no matter where you are in your college application journey.
In this article, you’ll find plenty of CollegeAdvisor-approved college application guidance. We’ll look at different college application types and share a comprehensive list of colleges still accepting applications. After reading this article, you will be ready to tackle applying to colleges with late application deadlines. Let’s get started!
Applying to college
Most colleges within the U.S., even colleges with late application deadlines, follow a similar application process. While there are many steps to the college application process, we’ve highlighted some of our most important college application guidance below:
How to Apply to College
1. Build your candidate profile
This step involves reflecting upon your strengths and experiences. Then, you’ll want to decide what branding or application narrative you will employ in your applications. Essentially, you want to have a clear answer to the question: what do you want colleges to take away from your application?
2. Research schools and build a college list
Your college list should be a balanced list of 12-15 schools that fall into the reach, target, or safety categories. If you choose to apply to fewer schools, you’ll still want to have a balanced mix. Outside of varied acceptance rates, these schools should have features that excite you! That might mean specific programs, a desirable location, or values that align with your own.
3. Make a list of requirements
Each school will have particular college application deadlines and requirements you’ll need to abide by to be considered for admission. So, making a list of when and what you need to apply to each is essential. This is especially true if you are considering applying to colleges with late deadlines as a busy high school senior!
4. Write your essays
Most schools require a personal statement, and many require supplemental essays. Before jumping into the writing process, be sure to brainstorm topics that relate to your overall application narrative.
5. Compile supporting documents
Refer to your list of requirements to see whether you need to submit any supplemental materials to complete your application. These often include transcripts, financial aid forms, and letters of recommendation (which you’ll need to request from recommenders in advance!)
6. Submit your applications
Most schools use either the Common App or Coalition App, which are very common college application types. However, in some cases, schools may also have their own unique application portals.
The ideal timeline for this process is to complete steps 1-2 in the spring of your junior year of high school. Steps 3-6 are best started the summer before senior year. Then, students should anticipate working on them throughout the fall and even through winter break.
Looking at this timeline, you might be worried and wondering “Is it too late to apply for college?” Though you might feel doing all these steps would be impossible at this point, you can absolutely still apply to college. As we shared, there are many colleges still accepting applications. Later on, we will list some of those schools and tips for applying to them.
What is the deadline for most college applications?
Without a doubt, the key to answering the question “Is it too late to apply for college?” is to learn about college application deadlines. In this section, we’ll give a brief overview of common application deadlines.
The following table provides an overview of college application deadlines for the most common college application types:
| College Application Types | College Application Deadlines for Fall Admission |
| Common Application | November 1 – February 1 |
| Coalition Application | November 1 – January 1 |
| UC Application | November 30 |
| Cal State Application | November 30 |
| SUNY Application | Rolling admission, with priority deadline of December 1 and early deadlines ranging from October 15 to November 24 |
| CUNY Application | Rolling admission with a February 1 priority deadline |
| ApplyTexas Application | Varies by school, but deadlines generally fall between December 1 – August 27 |
| QuestBridge National College Match Application | September 26 |
As you can tell from the above table, there is a range of dates available for different college application types. However, many deadlines take place in the fall.
The SUNY, CUNY, and ApplyTexas platforms have some of the latest deadlines. Moreover, they’re great options for students who live in either New York State or Texas and can take advantage of in-state tuition. Take note that the UC application deadline and Cal State application deadline are both November 30, meaning that applying late is unfortunately not an option.
When is it too late to apply for college?
If you are still wondering “Is it too late to apply for college?” you should know it’s truly never too late. Some schools, especially those that have rolling admissions, admit students as late as a few weeks before the Fall semester begins. In particular, schools that have not filled all of the seats in their incoming class are generally more open to accepting late applications.
Of course, applying so close to the start of the semester is very risky as there could be no seats available. Additionally, applying late can mean there is little to no financial aid available for students. Understandably, this could be a dealbreaker for whether some students are able to attend. That being said, many schools aim to provide students with flexibility when it comes to admissions. Up next, we’ll discuss a common type of flexible admissions process: rolling admission.
What is rolling admissions?
If you are looking for colleges that are still accepting applications, you might want to look at rolling admission colleges. Rolling admission is a type of admission process in which schools review applications as they receive them, rather than after a fixed deadline. For some colleges, this means that they also give out seats on a first-come, first-served basis, until their class is full. As a result, even though you technically can apply later, your odds of being admitted are stronger if you apply earlier. This is especially true for smaller schools with limited space.
Indeed, applying earlier to rolling admission colleges can guarantee your seat, as well as increase your odds of qualifying for institutional financial aid. For many students, applying early to a rolling admission college brings relief as they often receive a decision quickly. In some cases, a decision can come within four to six weeks of applying. With acceptances to rolling admission colleges under their belt, students can then apply to other schools with confidence.
If you have not yet applied to college and are looking for colleges that are still accepting applications, consider investigating rolling admission colleges. However, even if a school does not use a rolling admission process, you still may be able to apply. But how do I know which universities are still open for application? To start, take a look at our list of best colleges with late application deadlines, up next.
25 Best Colleges with Late Application Deadlines
In this section, we will share some of the best colleges with late application deadlines. If you are looking to add some great schools to your college list, review this list of which universities are still open for application. Please note this is not an exhaustive college list of schools with late application deadlines, and there are many other schools you might consider applying to. Even so, this list is intended to highlight some of the best schools for late applications.
Here are our top 25 colleges still accepting applications:
Top 25 Colleges Still Accepting Applications
1. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
At the top of our list of the best colleges with late application deadlines is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. While WPI’s two rounds of Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are November 1 and January 5, the school accepts Regular Decision applications as late as February 1. According to U.S. News, WPI is ranked #82 among National Universities and has a 57% acceptance rate. With an enrollment hovering around 5,000 students and an urban location, WPI offers students an intimate but rich educational experience.
2. Baylor University
Coming in second on our list of colleges still accepting applications is the private, Baptist-founded Baylor University. Located in Waco, Texas, this school ranks #93 in National Universities. While the Baylor application deadlines for Early Decision and Early Action are both November 1, you still have time to apply Regular Decision. The Regular Decision Baylor application deadline is February 1. A much larger campus, Baylor has an enrollment surpassing 15,000 students and an acceptance rate of 46%. Given that less than half of applicants are admitted, you’ll want to make your Baylor application as competitive as possible, regardless of when you choose to submit it.
3. Appalachian State University
Third on our list of best colleges with late deadlines is Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. While App State’s Early Action deadline is November 1, the school accepts Regular Decision applications up until February 1. App State is ranked #3 among Regional Universities and #2 among the Top Public Schools in the South. App State has an enrollment of 18,558 students and an 83% acceptance rate.
4. CUNY Baruch
For students looking to attend school in New York City, CUNY Baruch is an excellent option among colleges with late application deadlines. Baruch College is part of the City University of New York public college system and is located in the heart of Manhattan. With an enrollment topping 18,000 students, Baruch has a lot to offer. The school’s priority deadline for fall applications is February 1, with the exception of its honors college (the deadline to apply is November 16). Baruch is ranked #9 among Regional Universities and #2 among Top Public Schools in the North.
5. Colorado State University
Another excellent public institution that ranks highly among our colleges with late application deadlines is Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Colorado State is tied with DePaul University for #151 among National Universities. Colorado State’s early deadline is December 1, while Regular Decision applicants can apply until February 1. Students who apply by February 1 will receive a decision by February 28. With a massive student body of more than 26,000 students and a 91% acceptance rate, Colorado State is a great choice for late applications.
6. DePaul University
Though tied with Colorado State University for #151 among National Universities, DePaul University is also ranked #59 among Best Value Schools. If you’re looking for a private school in a metropolis, look no further than DePaul, located in the heart of Chicago. DePaul also has a large enrollment of nearly 15,000 students. The school has a Regular Decision deadline of February 1, making it one of the top colleges still accepting applications past their early deadline of November 15.
7. Drew University
The first liberal arts school on our list of best colleges with late application deadlines is Drew University, located in Madison, New Jersey. Drew is ranked #93 among National Liberal Arts colleges and has a 73% acceptance rate. With only 1,549 undergraduates, Drew offers a more intimate learning experience. You can apply Regular Decision to Drew by February 1. The school’s Early Action deadline is December 1 and its two Early Decision deadlines are November 1 and January 15.
8. Howard University
An outstanding historically black college ranked #115 in National Universities, Howard University is located in Washington, D.C. Howard has an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 10,000 students, along with several highly ranked graduate schools of business, law, medicine, and engineering. With an acceptance rate of 53%, Howard is among the more selective colleges that are still accepting applications. There are several Howard University application deadlines. The Regular Decision Howard University application deadline is February 1, with all supporting documents due by February 15. Meanwhile, the Howard University application deadline for Early Action or Early Decision is November 1, with all documents submitted by November 15.
9. Morehouse College
Another outstanding HBCU that is among the best colleges with late application deadlines is Morehouse College. Morehouse is unique: it is the only all-male, all-Black liberal arts college you’ll find in the U.S. The school is ranked #100 amongst National Liberal Arts Colleges and has an acceptance rate of 65%. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Morehouse has an undergraduate enrollment of about 2,500 students. Morehouse’s Early Decision deadline is November 1 and its Early Action deadline is January 1. However, Regular Decision applications are not due until February 1.
10. Spelman College
Also located in Atlanta is Spelman College, the #1 ranked HBCU and the #39 ranked National Liberal Arts College. Spelman is an all-female college with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,374 students and an acceptance rate of 28%. Spelman is on our list of colleges still accepting applications because the school’s Regular Decision deadline is also February 1. Meanwhile, the school’s Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are November 1.
11. SUNY University at Albany
The State University of New York system offers many options for colleges with late application deadlines, including SUNY Albany. As its name suggests, the school is located in Albany, the upstate capital of New York. The school’s priority Regular Decision deadline is February 1, and students can expect to hear back by the end of March. Additionally, the school accepts applications on a space-available basis past February 1. SUNY Albany is ranked #133 in National Universities and its acceptance rate is 68%. Undergraduate enrollment hovers around 12,000 students.
12. Auburn University
Those looking for universities still open for application should consider Auburn University. A massive public institution located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is tied with Baylor for #93 in National Universities. Auburn has an enrollment of more than 25,000 undergrads and a 44% acceptance rate. The Regular Decision Auburn University application deadline is February 1. Those wishing to apply early can submit their Auburn University application by any of the four Early Action dates and hear back about a month later. The last Auburn University application deadline for Early Action is December 1.
13. University of Michigan
The highest-ranked school on our list of colleges with late applications is the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. UMich is ranked #21 nationally and has an 18% acceptance rate. UMich has a Regular Decosopm deadline of February 1 following its Early Action deadline of November 1. The university has over 32,000 undergraduates, making it one of the largest on this list.
14. UMass Boston
Another large school on our list of the best colleges with late application deadlines is UMass Boston. UMass Boston is a public institution in Boston with over 12,000 undergrads. Nationally, the school ranks #216. The two available Early Action deadlines are November 1 and January 1. However, students can still apply by the Regular Deadline of February 1. UMass Boston has an 81% acceptance rate.
15. College of Wooster
Those wondering which universities are still open for application should look into the College of Wooster. The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, Ohio. It is a private institution with an enrollment of nearly 2,000 undergrads and a 56% acceptance rate. The college is ranked #75 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #57 among Best Value Colleges. The school has two Early Decision deadlines on November 1 and January 15. The Early Action deadline is November 30. For those hoping to apply late, the Regular Decision deadline is February 15.
16. University of Kentucky
Ranking #159 nationally, the University of Kentucky in Lexington is another excellent option among colleges still accepting applications. The University of Kentucky has nearly 23,000 undergrads and a 95% acceptance rate. The school’s Early Action deadline is December 1 and its Regular Decision deadline is February 15, so you have a bit more time to prepare your application compared to other late-admission schools.
17. University of Cincinnati
An excellent midwestern school among the best colleges with late deadlines is the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Ranked #142 nationally, the University of Cincinnati is a public university with nearly 30,000 undergraduates. The school’s Early Action and priority scholarship deadline is December 1, but the Regular Decision deadline is March 1. If you need time to prepare your application, then the University of Cincinnati, with its 86% acceptance rate, is a great option.
18. Xavier University of Louisiana
Another excellent HBCU on our list of best colleges that are still accepting applications is Xavier University of Louisiana. Xula, as it is affectionately known, is located in New Orleans and ranks #16 among Regional Colleges of the South. The school also ranks #6 among HBCUs and is known for its STEM and health sciences fields. Xavier has an undergrad enrollment of 2,696 and a 95% acceptance rate. The deadline for scholarship purposes is December 1, but the general Regular Decision deadline is March 1. Both deadlines are described as “preferred,” meaning that applications will likely be considered after those dates. Xavier also has no application fee.
19. Georgia State University
Among the southern colleges still accepting applications is Georgia State University located in Atlanta. This large public institution has nearly 29,000 undergrads and a 61% acceptance rate. Nationally, it is ranked #227. While Georgia State’s honors and scholarship priority deadline is November 15, it accepts Regular Decision applications through April 1.
20. Florida Atlantic University
One of the sunniest colleges still accepting applications is Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Florida Atlantic is ranked #209 in National Universities and has an 81% acceptance rate. A public institution, Florida Atlantic has over 24,000 undergrads. While the priority deadline is November 1 and the merit scholarship deadline is January 15, students can apply as late as April 1.
21. Columbia College of Nursing
For those interested in nursing programs at colleges still accepting applications, consider Columbia College of Nursing. Columbia College is a non-profit liberal arts and sciences college whose main campus is located in Columbia, Missouri. This BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has a priority deadline of April 15. The final application deadline is June 15.
22. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Art students wondering which universities are still open for application should take note that the School of the Art Institute of Chicago accepts applications until April 15. However, those seeking greater odds of admission should apply Early Action by December 1. Additionally, those hoping to be awarded merit scholarships should apply by January 15. This highly regarded art school has an acceptance rate of 81% and an undergraduate enrollment of roughly 2,800 students.
23. Texas Tech University
Among the colleges with late application deadlines in Texas is Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas. Ranked #216 among National Universities, the public school has a 67% acceptance rate and an undergrad enrollment of more than 32,000. Texas Tech’s Regular Decision deadline is May 1. However, you’ll want to note its scholarship deadline is December 1.
24. Texas Christian University
Students looking for private colleges still accepting applications can consider applying to Texas Christian University. TCU is located in Fort Worth, Texas, just outside of Dallas. Ranked #98 nationally, TCU has a 56% acceptance rate and about 10,000 undergrads. Though the name reveals its Christian affiliation, students of all faiths attend the school. Early Action applications are due February 1 and Regular Decision applications are due June 1.
25. Wayne State University
Last but not least on our list of the best colleges with late deadlines is Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Wayne State is ranked #201 in National Universities and has 16,000 undergrads. The school’s acceptance rate is 75%. Applicants should apply by the Regular Decision deadline of August 1, the latest deadline on our list. Indeed, the school’s deadline is just three weeks before its college enrollment date.
Just like that, we have reached the end of our list of colleges with late application deadlines! At this point, you might be wondering how to use this information to build your college list. Keep reading for more college application guidance on why you might want to apply to these later admission deadlines and tips for submitting your application.
Which universities are still open for application?
Many students wondering “is it too late to apply for college?” may feel defeated when they learn certain deadlines, like the UC application deadline, have passed. However, as our list shows, many fantastic colleges with late application deadlines are still accepting applications. Indeed, some college application deadlines are as late as the summer before the fall semester starts, with some just days before your college enrollment date.
Still, any good college application guidance will tell you that getting your applications in sooner is the best approach. As such, if you are looking for colleges still accepting applications, get a jumpstart by using our list. As you may have noticed, it is ordered from schools with the soonest college application deadlines to those with the latest college application deadlines.
Depending on when you are reading this article, you might want to browse for the college application deadlines that you can still meet. Then, consider whether those colleges with late application deadlines also meet enough of your college list criteria – such as location, cost, and available majors. In addition to using our list of colleges with late application deadlines, you might want to search online for rolling admission colleges, which may still have seats available.
Why apply to colleges with late application deadlines?
There are many reasons why you might wish to apply to colleges with late application deadlines. The most obvious one is that perhaps you decided late that you wish to attend college, or you haven’t had time to apply yet. Other students apply to a college late because they just discovered the school. Upon research, they realize they can really see themselves thriving there and decide to apply.
Additionally, some students wonder which universities are still open for application after they are deferred from their Early Action or Early Decision school. A deferral means they must wait longer to find out if they got into that school. In this instance, they might want to add more options if their original college list was not very long.
As you can see, many different kinds of applicants consider late application deadlines. Whatever your reasons may be, we want to leave you with some helpful tips as you navigate late application deadlines.
5 Tips for Applying to Best Colleges with Late Deadlines
While there may be many great colleges that are still accepting applications, there is also a lot to do to meet college application deadlines. As such, we have five pieces of important college guidance for students who wish to apply to college late:
Tips for Applying to Colleges with Late Application Deadlines
1. Consider other options
While it may seem like your only option is to apply late to college, you can also decide to take a gap year. Waiting until the next admissions cycle can even increase your odds of being admitted to a school you’re particularly excited about by giving you fulfilling experiences to reflect on in your application. Just make sure to use your gap year to learn or grow in some way so that you can demonstrate how you used this time on your application.
Another option is to consider enrolling in a community college, which may have a less rigorous admission process. Some community colleges allow students to enroll right up until the college enrollment date. After a year or two, you can then apply to transfer to a four-year college to finish your bachelor’s degree.
2. If you decide to apply late, move quickly
Once you have decided to apply to a school, start planning backward from the deadline so you can get everything completed in time. Consider charting each of the necessary steps on a calendar, such as when to send test scores or transcripts, when to draft essays and get feedback, and when to get letters of recommendation.
3. Communicate with your guidance counselor and teachers
As soon as you decide to apply to a school, speak with your guidance counselor and teachers to ask about recommendations. These individuals generally need 4-6 weeks’ notice to be able to write you a good letter, so letting them know as soon as possible is essential.
4. Reach out to the college
If you plan to apply close to, or even after, a college’s deadline, reach out to your regional admissions officer from the college and let them know. In your communication, you can express your interest in the school and let them know why you plan to apply late – if you have a valid reason. For example, perhaps you had a recent family crisis and needed more time to complete your application. More communication, when appropriate, is always better.
5. Start planning for if you are admitted
After you submit your application, start planning for what you will do if you are admitted. Indeed, some application deadlines are so late that they come very close to your college enrollment date. If you apply by August 1 and the school starts classes on August 25, you will only have three weeks before your college enrollment date. Start looking into where you will live, how you will get to campus, and what you will pack if you are going away for college.
Colleges with Late Application Deadlines – Final Takeaways
If you are worried that you have waited too long to apply to college, we hope this article has changed your mind! Yes, some deadlines, such as the UC application deadline, are in the fall. However, many other college application types, like the SUNY application, are open well into the spring and summer. In this article, we saw that there are many great colleges still accepting applications. And, there are plenty of schools that even allow students to apply just weeks before classes officially begin. While some simply have late application dates, many are rolling admission colleges, which do not have strict college application deadlines.
The best college application guidance always says to apply as early as possible. However, for students who cannot do so or find themselves having missed deadlines, there is still hope. If this is you, we recommend creating a college list and seeking professional college application guidance, such as what we provide here at CollegeAdvisor. With some swift hard work and support, you can land a spot in one of the many amazing colleges still accepting applications.
This article was written by senior advisor, Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
