Mar 8, 2026
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March is one of the most anticipated times of the year in the college admissions cycle. Throughout the month, universities begin releasing Regular Decision results for the Class of 2030. While a portion of applicants received decisions in December through the Early Decision and Early Action process, the vast majority of students will learn where they will be attending college through Regular Decision this spring.
The admissions cycle for the Class of 2030 has also been one of the most competitive in recent history, with record application volumes at many selective universities.
Below you will find a regularly updated list of estimated and confirmed Regular Decision notification dates for the 2025–26 admissions cycle. The timeline includes many of the nation’s most selective universities and liberal arts colleges. As institutions confirm their release schedules, we will continue updating this page as additional information becomes available.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Admissions offices sometimes adjust their timelines, and decisions may occasionally appear earlier than the official announcement.
Regular Decision notifications typically arrive in waves throughout March, with the majority of decisions released between mid-March and the final week of the month. Ivy League decisions and several peer institutions are traditionally released together on what has become known as Ivy Day, usually in the final days of March.
Knowing when decisions are likely to be released can help students plan for several important next steps:
Having a general sense of when decisions will arrive can help families navigate what is often a busy and emotional period.
Most colleges do not publicly confirm an exact decision release date until shortly before results are posted. Admissions offices sometimes adjust timelines based on application volume, internal committee schedules, or technical considerations related to their applicant portals.
For example, a university that traditionally releases decisions in “late March” may release anywhere between March 24 and March 30 depending on the year. Occasionally, schools release decisions a few hours earlier than expected or slightly later in the evening as their portals go live.
We monitor updates from admissions offices, official communications, and applicant portals to keep this timeline as accurate as possible.
The Regular Decision period can bring a range of outcomes, and it can be helpful to understand what steps to take depending on the result.
As Regular Decision notifications begin to arrive, it is important to remember that an admissions decision is only one step in a much larger educational journey. Students thrive at many different institutions, and the next chapter of your academic path will begin soon.
If you were placed on a waitlist and are looking for guidance on next steps, feel free to reach out. We can review your full application, assess your position, and help you determine the most strategic approach to navigating the waitlist process.
March is one of the most anticipated times of the year in the college admissions cycle. Throughout the month, universities begin releasing Regular Decision results for the Class of 2030. While a portion of applicants received decisions in December through the Early Decision and Early Action process, the vast majority of students will learn where they will be attending college through Regular Decision this spring.
The admissions cycle for the Class of 2030 has also been one of the most competitive in recent history, with record application volumes at many selective universities.
Below you will find a regularly updated list of estimated and confirmed Regular Decision notification dates for the 2025–26 admissions cycle. The timeline includes many of the nation’s most selective universities and liberal arts colleges. As institutions confirm their release schedules, we will continue updating this page as additional information becomes available.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Admissions offices sometimes adjust their timelines, and decisions may occasionally appear earlier than the official announcement.
Regular Decision notifications typically arrive in waves throughout March, with the majority of decisions released between mid-March and the final week of the month. Ivy League decisions and several peer institutions are traditionally released together on what has become known as Ivy Day, usually in the final days of March.
Knowing when decisions are likely to be released can help students plan for several important next steps:
Having a general sense of when decisions will arrive can help families navigate what is often a busy and emotional period.
Most colleges do not publicly confirm an exact decision release date until shortly before results are posted. Admissions offices sometimes adjust timelines based on application volume, internal committee schedules, or technical considerations related to their applicant portals.
For example, a university that traditionally releases decisions in “late March” may release anywhere between March 24 and March 30 depending on the year. Occasionally, schools release decisions a few hours earlier than expected or slightly later in the evening as their portals go live.
We monitor updates from admissions offices, official communications, and applicant portals to keep this timeline as accurate as possible.
The Regular Decision period can bring a range of outcomes, and it can be helpful to understand what steps to take depending on the result.
As Regular Decision notifications begin to arrive, it is important to remember that an admissions decision is only one step in a much larger educational journey. Students thrive at many different institutions, and the next chapter of your academic path will begin soon.
If you were placed on a waitlist and are looking for guidance on next steps, feel free to reach out. We can review your full application, assess your position, and help you determine the most strategic approach to navigating the waitlist process.
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
I’m a college admissions counselor and the founder of Selective Admissions. I help students navigate the college application process and position themselves as competitive applicants to top universities.
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