Lafayette College has posted its deadlines: Early Decision I closes on November 15 at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time, with decisions released in mid-December. Irvine seniors have 18 days until the deadline. The college offers an optional “Why Lafayette?” essay of 20 to 200 words and states that it reviews only the top six activities on the application.
Who Is Affected by the Lafayette Early Decision Deadline
The deadline applies to high school seniors who have made Lafayette College their first choice this cycle. The college’s published timeline is as follows:
| Round | Application deadline | Decision | Enrollment confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 15 | Mid-December | $750 deposit by January 5 |
| Early Decision II | January 15 | Mid-February | $750 deposit by March 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | Late March | By May 1 |
Both Early Decision rounds are binding. Applicants submit an Early Decision agreement, and admitted students who accept the offer must withdraw their applications to other institutions; Regular Decision is not binding. Early Decision outcomes are admit, deny or defer. Deferred students are reviewed with Regular Decision and receive a final decision near the end of March, and denied students may not apply Early Decision II or Regular Decision. Students who have already applied Regular Decision can convert to Early Decision II by emailing the admission office and submitting the agreement by February 1. Deposits are nonrefundable.
What to Do Now About the Lafayette Supplement and Application
Take the optional essay seriously. Lafayette accepts applications through the Common App, and the “Why Lafayette?” essay appears in the college’s Common App member section with a limit of 20 to 200 words. Because the essay is short, it should be specific: name the majors, programs or resources at the college that fit the student’s plans.
Put the most important activities in the top six. The Common App activities section allows ten entries, but the college reviews only the first six. Students should decide which activities best show commitment and results before ordering the list.
Confirm testing and financial aid materials. Students enrolling in fall 2027 or fall 2028 may choose not to submit test scores. Students who submit may self-report, Lafayette superscores both the SAT and the ACT, and official scores are required at enrollment. Students who change their testing status must notify the college by email by November 15 for Early Decision I. Need-based aid applicants submit the FAFSA, the CSS Profile and IDOC, also due November 15 for Early Decision I; merit scholarships require no aid documents, and Early Decision applicants receive full consideration for both merit scholarships and need-based aid.
For the personal statement and short supplements, see the EDUBUS college essay bootcamp; for early application rounds and college lists, see the university admissions planning service.
Sources
- Lafayette College: Apply (accessed October 28, 2026)
- Lafayette College: Early Decision Applicants (accessed October 28, 2026)
- Bates Early Decision Due November 15Bates College closes Early Decision I on November 15 and notifies applicants by December 20. There is no application fee and no required supplemental essay.
- Colgate Early Decision I Due November 1Colgate University closes Early Decision I on November 1 and waives the application fee for first-year applications submitted in October.
- Skidmore Early Decision I Due November 1Skidmore College closes Early Decision I on November 1 and requires no supplemental essays, so the personal statement is the only essay it reads.
- Colby Early Decision Due November 15Colby College closes Early Decision I and its financial aid deadline on November 15. The college charges no application fee and requires no writing supplement.
