Colby College has posted its deadlines: Early Decision I closes on November 15, and financial aid materials, including the CSS Profile, the FAFSA and tax documents, are due on the same day. Irvine seniors have 19 days until the deadline; the college in Waterville, Maine, charges no application fee and requires no additional writing supplement.
Who Is Affected by the Colby Early Decision Deadline
The deadline applies to high school seniors applying to Colby College this cycle who consider Colby their first choice. The three rounds are as follows:
| Round | Application deadline | Financial aid deadline | Optional and supporting materials due | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 15 | November 15 | November 22 | On or before December 15 |
| Early Decision II | January 4 | January 4 | January 15 | On or before February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | January 15 | January 15 | On or before April 1 |
Both Early Decision rounds are binding, and admitted students must withdraw their other applications. Students who have already filed a Regular Decision application may convert it to Early Decision I by submitting a signed Early Decision Agreement by December 1; the deadline to convert to Early Decision II is February 1.
What to Do Now About the Colby Early Decision Deadline
Assemble the required materials. The college accepts the Common App, the Coalition Application, QuestBridge and its own Colby Application. Required materials are the application, academic records, letters of recommendation and, for non-native English speakers, language proficiency results. Test scores are optional, and students may also submit additional recommendation letters, an InitialView Elevator Pitch, a Schoolhouse.world portfolio and arts supplements.
Prepare financial aid materials at the same time. The college states that its aid packages meet 100% of demonstrated need, and that families earning $75,000 or less, with assets typical of that income range, have a guaranteed parent contribution of $0. For Early Decision I, the CSS Profile, the FAFSA (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) and 2025 tax returns are all due by November 15.
Focus effort on the main essay. Without a supplemental essay, the Common App personal essay and activities list carry more weight.
For Early Decision strategy, college lists and round planning, see the EDUBUS university admissions planning service and the four types of early application; for the personal essay, see the college essay bootcamp.
Sources
- Colby College: Apply (accessed October 27, 2026)
- Colby College: Dates and Deadlines (accessed October 27, 2026)
- Colby College: Requirements (accessed October 27, 2026)
- Haverford Early Decision Due November 15Haverford College closes Early Decision I on November 15 and notifies applicants by December 15. The college recommends an interview and is test-optional.
- Davidson Early Decision Due November 15Davidson College closes Early Decision I on November 15 with decisions by December 12. Applicants write two supplemental essays and need a peer recommendation.
- Grinnell Early Decision Due November 15Grinnell College closes Early Decision I and the matching financial aid forms on November 15. The college charges no fee and requires no supplement.
- Hamilton Early Decision I Due November 15Hamilton College closes Early Decision I on November 15; its Supplemental Short Answer and 60-second video are optional. Dates, materials and essay advice.
