Colleges With October 15 Deadlines

As the fall semester begins, it’s time for seniors to finalize their college list. For some 12th graders, this is also when you decide whether you will apply to one or more schools early. While November 1 is the most common deadline for schools with Early Decision and Early Action, some colleges require Early Action applications to be submitted by October 15.. 

 

You may also be curious about October 15 deadlines if you feel like you’re in a good spot with completing your college application requirements and are looking for a couple more colleges to add to your list.

 

To ease your process, we have put together a list of notable schools to help you keep track of early deadlines for college applications that are due on October 15.

 

Colleges with October 15 Early Action Deadlines

• Auburn University (Early Action 2)
• Clemson University
• Georgia Tech (only for in-state applicants or specific programs)
• University of Georgia
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• University of South Carolina
• University of Texas Austin

 

The University of North Carolina and the University of Georgia have notably announced that they won’t require supplemental essays as part of their application this year. 

 

If you’re applying to University of Texas Austin, note that you can apply through either the Common Application or use ApplyTexas, a platform specifically designed for students interested in Texas colleges.

 

Difference between Early Decision and Early Action – A Refresher

 

Colleges with October 15 deadlines all offer Early Action routes rather than Early Decision. Early Decision (ED) applications are binding—meaning when you apply, you’re committing to attend if admitted. ED deadlines, like EA deadlines, are almost always earlier than the deadlines for your Regular Decision (RD) applications. ED applications are typically due around November 1st, with admissions decisions released by mid- to late December. 

Most Early Action applications are due around the same time as ED ones, and in the case of these schools with October 15 deadlines, applications are due even sooner. However, students are not required to commit to their EA school. You can apply to as many schools as you want EA—so you could apply to UNC and UT Austin and UGA by October 15. 

Most students applying EA receive their decisions in late January or even February. Unlike ED, EA decisions aren’t binding, and students have until the regular May 1 deadline to make a final decision about which college to attend.

How to best prepare for October 15 Deadlines

You should only apply to colleges with October 15 deadlines if you feel like your application is ready. Complete your Common App, revise your main essay several times, and make sure you have taken standardized tests at the appropriate time for the scores to count. Double check with your recommenders and remind them that you’re applying to colleges with October 15 deadlines. If the schools have supplemental essays, ensure that your answers appropriately convey your fit and interest in the school. 

One advantage of applying to colleges during the October 15 EA deadline is that you’ll have a polished Common App and main essay even before the November 1 deadline. This will give you time to focus on only the supplemental requirements for those applications as well as dedicate time towards doing well in school and your extracurriculars during senior year—colleges that you apply to during the Regular Decision round (and EA schools that get back to you around February) will want to see your fall grades, so don’t take the senior fall semester lightly.