Application Dates, Deadlines, & Early Admissions

Important Dates to Know:

Dates are sign pointers in the application process, but the reality is that you should create your own based on when you want things to get done, with the start and ending dates of the your applications as indicators.

Applications Open

It is important to know when Applications Open for each of your applications. As an example applications for the US and the UK open for accepting applications usually in late summer/early fall and applications for the Netherlands open usually in October. Some applications like those for some Universities in Turkey may not open until January, and applications for Korea and Australia may not be open until spring. Each university and or application system will have different answers to this question. As such it can be challenging to keep all of the pieces, parts, dates and details in your head. I recommend you try using this application tracker or make your own.

IMPORTANT: Application Opening dates signify when you can turn in your applications. This means that you can turn in your applications at this time! For some applications and Universities getting it in early gives you an advantage, and some do not, and for some university application processes they will accept candidates until they are full and then close their applications for that intake. It is up to you to know and keep track of these details and deadlines.

Application Due Date

This is the final date to turn in applications. Please pick a final date for yourself at least several weeks to a month before the final date. This gives the University an opportunity to check in your submitted documents and let you know if anything is missing. These final deadlines, and "I did not know or understand" is not acceptable. You are better off shooting for a date well before the final date or deadline. Please take into consideration that life happens.

Early applications

Please note that these definitions are generalities and that each University or program may "adjust" their definition to meet their application process. Make sure you read carefully and come see your counselor if you have any questions.

Numerus Fixus: These are more competitive programs in the Netherlands and although the regular deadlines in the Netherlands continue into the spring, Numerus Fixus programs are due on January 15th-- so translating that to TISA time means that you have to get them in before we leave for Winter break.... so just like every other applications.

Early (EA/ED):

Many Colleges and Universities who are on the liberal arts (tree side) of the University spectrum, like those in the US will have Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) application deadlines. At most Universities the EA/ED applications have a higher percentage to top students, so a greater percentage are accepted at this time but the competition is more challenging as well. Each Universite will have their own rules and guidelines for this process. Please make sure that you read and understand the rules for each Universities process. Following this will determine if you are accepted for not. Some Universities have EA but not ED as their early applications and some are the opposite. Some have both.... The dates of these deadline are school by school but they can start as early as September, but most range from early October through December.

Early Action (EA):

These applications have early deadline and will give you earlier acceptances notifications than the regular application process. By applying in this way you are expressing high levels of interest in the University and it's programs. For some Universities you need to apply at this time for some specific programs like honors programs and for some Universities you will have a greater chance of getting scholarships (especially international students), if you apply EA-- but this is not always true. It depends greatly on the University and their process.

Early Decision (ED):

The most important thing to know is that ED decisions are BINDING! This means that if you apply this way that you are saying to the University that this University is your first choice. You are making an oath that if you get accepted that you will attend this University. You must take this very seriously when you apply with ED and ONLY apply this way if you are able to say this 100%. The only "out" is if you apply for Financial Aid, and they do not come through with enough money to make this option possible-- otherwise this is a binding agreement.

Program Specific Early Applications:

Many Universities in the world have different deadlines for specific programs. By different I mean different than the date easily found on the webpage. It is IMPORTANT that you look carefully at the primary source-- the University program web page/application page-- and make sure that you understand. This is your responsibility! If you do not understand please go see Ms. Borgerding with your questions. As an example, in the UK Medicine, Dentistry, Vet, and Oxbridge have the deadline of October 15th. Other programs that commonly have alternative deadlines are Music or Art and some scholarship programs like the big international scholarships at the University of Toronto or UBC in Canada, may also has alternative deadlines. Look sharp and pay attention! Get your applications done as early as possible!

Letters of Recommendation and Other Documents:

Please ask for your letters of recommendation and other documents that you are asking from the school ASAP, but with a minimum of a MONTH before the deadline when you want to turn in your application. (This can be any time between applications opening and applications closing.)