I remember my college application journey like it was yesterday. Most nights I stayed up past midnight, writing and deleting essay ideas that sounded way better in my head. I would also spend hours trying to answer simple questions about myself that I had just never thought of before. The most stressful part was trying to complete all my applications early because I believed the earlier an application was submitted, the better my chances of getting in. Now while many may agree or disagree with that notion, completing 12 college applications and over 30 essays before November was hard. Even my friends who were following the regular decision deadlines for January felt rushed and exhausted.
However, I’m here to tell you that not all schools require applications be submitted in late fall or early winter. Some schools either have rolling admissions or extend their regular decision deadlines to early or late in the spring. Phew. If I had known about these colleges with late application deadlines two years ago, my life would’ve been a lot easier.
- Stevenson University
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Located in Owings Mills, Maryland, this small private college offers rolling admissions, meaning students have most of the year to apply. However, freshmen application materials are due by March 1, and all applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a space-available basis. One extra perk of this school is the financial aid: 99% of students receive a merit or need-based scholarship.
- University of Massachusetts Boston
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As the only public research university in Boston, this school has an application deadline of March 1 and boasts an acceptance rate of 79%. It also offers over 200 academic programs and many sponsored research opportunities.
- Norfolk State University
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Norfolk is a public HBCU located in Virginia. Its fall priority application deadline is May 31, and it accepts 89% of eligible applicants. The school also offers many study abroad and academic programs.
- University of Alabama
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Despite having priority deadlines for opportunities such as merit scholarships, the University of Alabama offers rolling admissions. Priority consideration has a Jan. 15 deadline, and applications received after that are considered on a space-available basis. As a larger college, it offers a vast amount of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. If your FYP was anything like mine earlier this semester, you would have also seen plenty of girls from this school preparing for the rush season!
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
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UMass Lowell has a regular decision deadline of Feb. 5, but offers rolling admissions through Aug. 1 for select majors on a space-available basis. It has over 200 degree programs and 14 Division 1 athletic teams.
- Allegheny College
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Allegheny is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. It is a private liberal arts college and its regular decision deadline is Feb. 15. All students take courses in different disciplines and have a minor and major by the end of their second year. Allegheny students even get the chance to influence the school’s decision-making, according to its website, and they learn from classes designed to introduce a variety of perspectives.
- Howard University
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Howard is an HBCU located in Washington, D.C. It is home to many rigorous programs and an incredible student spirit. Its regular decision deadline is Feb. 1, with all documents received by Feb. 15.
- Loyola University Chicago
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Loyola Chicago accepts applications on a rolling basis (though its priority deadline is Dec. 1). It is a Jesuit Catholic University located in Chicago, Illinois. Among other rankings, Loyola has the No. 1 undergraduate business program in Chicago, and its nursing program is ranked in the top 5% nationally.
- Georgia State University
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Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this university has an acceptance rate of 61% and an application deadline of April 1. It is named one of the top public schools for undergraduate teaching.
- University of South Florida
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Besides the warm weather its location offers, USF also allows students up until March 1 to submit their application, and until March 15 to submit all required documents. This is usually around the time when most students are hearing back from colleges, so this is a great option to apply to if you want that added security.
- Morgan State University
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Morgan State University is a public research HBCU located in Baltimore, Maryland. It accepts around 87% of applicants and accepts applications up until Feb. 15. It has more than 140 degree programs, and was recently ranked as the fourth best research university in Maryland.
- Auburn University
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Auburn University is a large public university located in Alabama. It is named the top university in the city. Its regular decision deadline is Feb. 1 for freshmen applying for the fall semester, and July 1 for transfer students applying during the fall semester.
