Countdown to College: Surviving December Application Deadlines

Oh, December: deadlines are approaching, but the winter holidays are also just around the corner. As a tired high school senior with one foot out the classroom door already, it’s especially hard to stay focused during these fleeting final weeks. Not to mention the infectious senioritis going around at school, and the tempting distraction of holiday cheer at home…

But this close to the finish line, you have to stay strong! December is one of the most important months in the countdown to college. Now is certainly no time to get cold feet. Let’s review what you need to know to survive the major deadlines coming your way.

It may feel like these last weeks of the year are one long holiday party, but there’s more than celebrations at stake. Don’t let it all pass in a blur!

Most Regular Decision deadlines land in late December or January, with the latest falling around January 1st or January 15th (with variation by college). So why does December feel like the heaviest deadline month?

Because December is when you finish the work that makes a January submission successful:

• Final drafts of supplements
• Recommendation letters and school forms moving through portals
• Transcript and testing items (when required)
• Financial aid forms moving on a different timeline than applications

Not ready for all that yet? Then it’s time to get moving.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa (or your favorite holiday beverage) and cozy up with a blanket. Here’s what we’re going to do.

Do not guess your deadlines. Look them up.

A lot of Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January, and some schools close earlier or later. But you shouldn’t assume you have that extra time. Not to mention, it’s better to give yourself a soft deadline a few days before the cutoff in case of technical difficulties at the last minute. Double-check your college websites to be certain of your end date well in advance, then build out your timeline, and add a few days of buffer to be safe.

If you have not asked yet, act now. Ideally, you’d want to give your letter-writers as much time as possible to complete the request thoughtfully without rushing around their own holiday plans. If you haven’t already done so, reach out as soon as possible and be understanding if they decline.

Aim for a short, respectful message:

• Your deadline list (with your personal deadline)
• A one-paragraph brag sheet or resume
• A clear ask for a strong recommendation
• A sincere thank you

Then follow up the right way:

• Check the portal status first
• If the portal shows “not received” within a reasonable window, send one polite reminder
• After submission, write a thank you note (especially true if the recommender came through for you in a pinch)

If you don’t feel proud of your application materials right now, or it simply won’t be physically possible to submit before the Regular Decision deadline, you still have options. After all, life happens, and colleges understand that.

Still want to apply to more colleges but worried about time? Add 1-2 schools with true rolling admissions to your list. NACAC defines rolling admission as a process where students apply after a college starts accepting applications until a final closing date, and decisions are released as applications become complete and reviewed. That means these schools often review applications well into the spring.

Some colleges keep Regular Decision deadlines in mid-January or later. Your job is to verify each school’s date and requirements on the official site.

If something serious blocked you from meeting a deadline, contact the admissions office with a clear explanation and a specific ask. Do not over-share. Do not blame your internet provider.

A gap year works best when this choice is planned, not a panic response. Talk with your school counselor, then map what you will do month by month.

During this time, continue to work on your application to make it the best it can be, and research additional pathways to keep the door open. If you decide to take a gap year, you can do so with more information at your disposal. Talk to your support system if you need support figuring out what your next steps should be.

Many students get so wrapped up in college deadlines that they forget to work on financial planning for college as well. Don’t forget to submit your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile to be considered for financial aid.

• FAFSA: For the 2026–27 school year, the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027. States and colleges also use FAFSA data for their own aid, and those deadlines often arrive earlier. File as early as your family is ready, then confirm each college received your FAFSA information.
• CSS Profile: If a college requires the CSS Profile, College Board advises starting at least two weeks before your earliest priority deadline. Also note: CSS Profile submission is tied to Eastern Time for priority filing dates.

And, if you have time, also continue to research and apply for scholarships and awards that will help fund your degree. Individual scholarships might not offer a full ride, but smaller amounts add up to big savings. And you don’t want to end up rushing your scholarship application essays and sabotaging your chances at the last minute.

If you already submitted an early college application, then this may be the month you hear back from those schools. If the news isn’t what you hoped, remember, a deferral isn’t a rejection; it means the college will consider you again during Regular Decision. So stay calm, and: 

• Sent a one-page update letter with any new grades, awards, or achievements
• Reconfirm your interest in the college with a professional Letter of Continued Interest
• And refrain from bombarding admissions departments with multiple messages

If you’re really down to the wire, here’s a super-speedy December application survival checklist to help you stay on track: 

• Finalize and proofread all essays
• Confirm deadlines and platform submission requirements
• Track recommendation letters
• Submit FAFSA and CSS (If applicable)
• Apply to a few scholarships
• Check each portal for document status

But it’s not all work and no play. We’ve advised a lot of productive things you can do, but the slog of final class exams and projects, in addition to the steady drumbeat of college application due dates, can start to get overwhelming. Remember to take a break every once in a while to avoid burning out entirely. Spend time with family and friends during this season of rest, and you’ll be all the better for it in January when it’s time to start classes anew.

Really feeling the crunch? Need help surviving the countdown to college? You don’t have to struggle through this alone. Reach out to Empowerly to learn more about how our expert college counselors can help your student thrive in college and beyond. We’re here to support your best future and your best self.