Timelines
Source: https://admissions.yale.edu/timelines Parent: https://admissions.yale.edu/contact
In This Section
Timelines
First-year applicants choose from three timelines: Early Action, QuestBridge Match, and Regular Decision
Select the timeline that is right for you
Yale’s criteria for evaluating applications for admissions and financial aid are the same for everyone, regardless of when or how they apply.
- Early Action
Application Deadline: November 1
Decisions Released: Mid-December
Admitted Student Reply Deadline: May 1 - QuestBridge Match
Application Deadline: November 1
Matches Notified: Early December
Admitted Student Reply: N/A - Binding - Regular Decision
Application Deadline: January 2
Decisions Released: Late March
Admitted Student Reply Deadline: May 1
Single-Choice Early Action
| Application Deadline | Admissions Notification | Admitted Student Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Mid-December | May 1 |
Yale’s Single-Choice Early Action Program (also called Restrictive Early Action) is non-binding. If you are admitted through Early Action you may submit and maintain active applications at other colleges or universities.
Restrictions
If you opt to apply through Single-Choice Early Action at Yale, you may not also apply through Early Action or Early Decision to other colleges or universities, unless:
- The early admissions program is anon-binding rolling admission program.
- The early admissions program is a non-binding early program at a public institution.
- The early admissions program is an Early Decision or Early Action program that notifies applicants after January 1. These programs are typically titled “Round 2”
- The early admissions program is at an institution outside the United States.
Possible outcomes
Early Action applicants will receive one of three admissions decisions in mid-December:
- An offer of admission
- A final denial of admission
- A deferral for consideration in Regular Decision.
The admissions committee reconsiders all deferred applications along with Regular Decision applicants and releases final decisions by late March. Applicants denied admission under Single-Choice Early Action are not eligible to reapply through Regular Decision during the same admissions cycle.
No advantage
Yale does not give an advantage to applicants who choose apply through Early Action or the QuestBridge Match. Select the admissions timeline that is right for you.
QuestBridge National College Match
| Application Deadline | Admissions Notification | Admitted Student Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Early December (Match) Late March (Regular Decision) | N/A - Binding Admission |
The QuestBridge National College Match round is binding. If you match with Yale through QuestBridge you agree to withdraw all other applications and not submit any additional applications in the current admissions cycle.
Restrictions
Review the QuestBridge policy on applying to early programs at other colleges.
Possible outcomes
QuestBridge notifies ranking finalists of their match status in early December. There are three possible outcomes:
- A match with Yale
- A match with another QuestBridge partner
- Not matched
If you do not match, your QuestBridge application will be automatically moved to Yale’s Regular Decision round, and you will receive a a final admissions decision in late March.
The Questbridge Match is binding
Unlike Early Action, the QuestBridge National College Match is a binding admission program. Matching students may matriculate at Yale in the coming fall term or may request to postpone their matriculation for one year.
Regular Decision
| Application Deadline | Admissions Notification | Admitted Student Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| January 2 | Late March | May 1 |
If you apply through Regular Decision, there are no restrictions on when or how you apply to other colleges or universities for first-year admission.
Possible outcomes
Regular Decision applicants will receive one of three admissions decisions in late March:
- An offer of admission
- An offer to remain on Yale’s wait list
- A denial of admission
Applicants who are admitted through the Regular Decision round have until May 1 to reply to Yale’s offer of admission. Applicants who are offered to remain on Yale’s wait list may respond by May 1.
Learn more about first-year admission
Yale requires letters of recommendation, a school report with transcript, and standardized test scores. - ## Timelines
Learn about single-choice early action, regular decision, and the QuestBridge National College Match. - ## Testing
Yale’s test-flexible policy requires applicants to submit scores from one or more of the following exams: ACT, AP, IB, or SAT. - ## Supplements
Applicants may submit supplementary material showcasing Visual Art, Dance, Music, Film, or STEM research.