Timelines

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. 

Single-Choice Early Action

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 a non-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.

QuestBridge National College Match

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. 

Regular Decision

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.