College Application Deadline Information for 2025 Graduates
By Marjorie Licht
When asked by parents “when are college applications due?” There is no one answer, and for 2025 graduates there are some new answers, especially if you are applying to the University of Florida. First, let’s explain the general types of application deadlines colleges offer, and then we’ll delve into the changes at UF this year.
Colleges have different types of deadlines – Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling Admission, and Regular Admission. Only Early Decision is a binding choice – meaning that if you choose this option and are admitted, you are obligated to attend the college (there are only 450 colleges that offer Early Decision). Early Action will give the student an answer early, but all parts of the college application will have to be submitted by the EA date, including essays, transcripts and test scores, if needed. Rolling Admission does not have a specific due date, but the earlier the application is complete, the earlier a decision will be made.
The University of Florida has announced that beginning this fall, for students graduating in 2025, there will be an Early Action deadline of November 1st, with ALL materials required to be submitted by November 15th. A decision will then be available by January 24th, 2025. This is a bit different from Florida State, which offers Early Action to Florida residents only, with an October 15th deadline for applications and materials, though additional test scores can be submitted until December 1st. Decisions are expected to be released around December 12th. For non-Florida residents, the application and materials deadline is December 1st, with additional scores due by January 1st, and a decision date of February 15th.
There are later deadlines for both UF and FSU; however, the best chance for admission is to meet the early deadlines.
UF and FSU are only two of the in-state options. There are many other state schools to consider with early deadlines.
University of North Florida is having their Apply in July event in Boca Raton on July 16th where you can receive a decision on the spot!
University of South Florida has a priority deadline of November 1st to get your campus of choice (USF has 3 campuses); FAU has a priority deadline of November 1st for early decisions; UCF does not indicate a priority deadline, but decisions are typically released beginning in October. Florida Gulf Coast University has Early Action for those students with a completed application and all supporting materials by November 15th, with decisions in December. FIU has Early Action, with an application deadline of October 23rd, a transcript and test score deadline of November 7th, and a decision date of November 15th.
Private universities and out of state public universities have deadlines as early as October 15th to as late as January 1st. It is important to know your college list and plan your time to have a thoughtful, compelling college application to send in, on time and, of course, complete. Keep your deadlines in mind when planning your summer activities!
