The Harvey Mudd College admission office’s application pages show that for the 2026-27 cycle, Early Decision I closes November 15, 2026, with decisions released December 15 and replies due January 8, 2027. Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close January 5, with decisions on February 15 and April 1 respectively. The science and engineering college in Claremont is about an hour’s drive from Irvine, and Irvine 12th graders planning an Early Decision application have five weeks left.
Who Is Affected by Harvey Mudd College Early Decision
Twelfth graders aiming at science and engineering majors who are willing to accept a binding offer. The college states that about 40% of the first-year class enters through Early Decision; a student may have only one Early Decision application active at a time, and a student denied in an Early Decision round cannot apply Regular Decision the same year.
| Item | Harvey Mudd College policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | Closes November 15; CSS Profile and FAFSA due the same day, IDOC by December 1; optional interview must be scheduled by November 15; a deadline on a weekend or holiday extends to the next business day |
| Application fee | $70; students with financial need may request a waiver through the Common App, and waivers from ACT, College Board, and NACAC are honored |
| Required materials | Common App with personal essay, School Report, official transcript, two teacher recommendations (one from a STEM teacher and one from a humanities, social sciences, or arts teacher); a counselor recommendation is optional |
| Supplemental essays | Two prompts: the first, in 500 words or fewer, asks how an experience or community shaped the problems the student wants to solve; the second, in 250 words or fewer, asks about a time when asking for help made a difference in the student’s work or wellbeing |
| Testing | SAT or ACT optional, and students who do not submit are not at a disadvantage; no preference between the tests, writing sections are not considered, and scores are not used for merit scholarships; Early Decision I applicants are advised to finish testing by November 20, with self-reported and official scores due November 30 |
| Enrollment requirements | One year each of high school calculus, chemistry, and physics; a student who cannot finish them may receive conditional admission and must complete a one-semester college course with a B or better |
What to Do Now About Harvey Mudd College Early Decision
Check the course requirements first. A student missing any of calculus, chemistry, or physics should confirm a plan with the school counselor before applying. The college also recommends four years of English, two years of social sciences including history, and two years of a foreign language.
Write the two supplemental essays together. The first should name a concrete problem area; the second should describe a real experience of asking for help. Essay structure and revision are covered by the EDUBUS College Essay Boot Camp.
Financial aid materials are due the same day as the application. Filing details are in CSS Profile Now Open and FAFSA Now Open. Early deadlines at other universities are summarized in Early Deadlines Fall on November 1 and 2 This Year.
Sources
- Harvey Mudd College Admission: First-Year Students (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Harvey Mudd College Admission: Apply (accessed October 12, 2026)
- California AB 302 Bars Social Media MandatesCalifornia AB 302, now law, bars public schools from excluding students from clubs and teams for not using social media, starting in 2027-28. What it covers.
- NYU ED I Closes Nov. 1; Testing OptionalNYU's Early Decision I closes November 1, 2026, with decisions on December 15, and testing stays optional through 2027-28. Dates, materials, and ED rules.
- University of Washington Due Nov. 15, One EssayThe University of Washington first-year deadline is November 15, 2026, with one Common App essay and no recommendations. Key rules for Irvine seniors.
- WashU Adds Early Action, Due November 2WashU has added an Early Action round alongside Early Decision I; both close November 2, 2026. Dates for all four rounds, the 250-word essay, and the optional video.
