Macalester College has posted its deadlines for fall 2027 entry: Early Decision I and Early Action both close on November 1, and Early Decision I decisions arrive on December 6. Irvine seniors have three days until the deadline. The college’s section of the Common App includes two optional essays, and students decide whether to write them.
Who Is Affected by the Macalester Early Deadlines
The deadlines apply to high school seniors considering Macalester College this cycle. The college’s published timeline is as follows:
| Item | Early Decision I | Early Action | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application | November 1 | November 1 | January 1 | January 15 |
| Financial aid priority | November 9 | November 9 | January 8 | January 22 |
| Decision | December 6 | December 19 | January 31 | March 14 |
| Reply | December 21 | May 1 | February 15 | May 1 |
Early Decision applicants sign an agreement confirming that Macalester is their top choice, that they will enroll if admitted and that they will withdraw all other applications. Early Decision I applicants must also self-report in-progress senior grades in the applicant portal between November 1 and 16; Early Action applicants do not. Students who want financial aid must indicate interest during the application, because the college states that aid cannot be awarded after an offer of admission.
What to Do Now About the Macalester Supplemental Essays
Decide whether to write the two optional essays. The first asks how the college’s location in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul would enhance the student’s academic, social or community experience. The second asks how the student’s experiences, perspectives or hopes for college connect with the college’s mission and community, which rests on four values: academic distinction, internationalism, multiculturalism and service to society. Both are optional, but a student who can draw a specific connection gains one more chance to be known by the admission committee.
Use AI as the college describes. Macalester College says AI can help edit or organize existing ideas, but the writing should be the student’s own; essays generated by AI struggle to show the student’s personality.
Complete the remaining materials. Required materials are the transcript for grades 9 through 11, one counselor recommendation and one recommendation from a teacher of a core academic subject. Testing is optional, and applying without scores does not affect admission or scholarship review. An optional virtual interview with admission staff takes about 30 minutes, and seniors must complete it by February 1.
For topic selection and revision of the two optional essays, see the EDUBUS college essay bootcamp; for early application rounds, see the university admissions planning service.
Sources
- Macalester College: Apply (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Macalester College: Dates and Deadlines (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Macalester College: First-Year Applicants (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Bucknell Early Decision I Due November 1Bucknell University closes Early Decision I on November 1, and applicants must choose one of three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Engineering or Management.
- 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.
- Lafayette Early Decision Due November 15Lafayette College closes Early Decision I on November 15 with decisions in mid-December. It offers an optional 20–200 word Why Lafayette essay.
