Undergraduate Admissions at Rutgers University–New Brunswick has published a Regular Decision due date of December 1, 2026 for first-year students entering in fall 2027, with decisions released no later than February 28, 2027. The university also states that students who want to be considered for honors and merit-based scholarships must apply by December 1. This date is a month earlier than the commonly used early January Regular Decision deadlines, so Irvine seniors need to move their application schedule forward accordingly.
Who Is Affected by the Rutgers December 1 Deadline
The Rutgers December 1 deadline affects every first-year applicant who has this university on the list and did not apply by the November 1 Early Action date. The dates published by the university are as follows:
| Round | Application due | Decision released | Reply date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action (non-binding) | November 1 | By January 31 | May 1 |
| Regular Decision | December 1 | By February 28 | May 1 |
The university continues to accept applications after December 1, but under Rolling Admission: only where a school still has space, with decisions issued after applicants from the first two rounds have been notified, and schools that are full no longer appear on the application. Because of portfolio review and auditions, Mason Gross School of the Arts notifies first-year applicants by April 1 and does not follow the dates in the table.
What to Do Now About Rutgers Regular Decision
Submit only one application. The university accepts its own Rutgers Application and the Common App, requires that only one be submitted, and does not allow changes after submission. The application fee is $70 and non-refundable; an application moves to review only after the university receives the fee or a fee waiver.
Prepare one essay. Rutgers requires first-year applicants to provide a short essay. For students using the Common App, the limit is 650 words, the system does not accept fewer than 250 words, and there are no supplemental essays; for students using the Rutgers Application, the limit is 3,800 characters including spaces. Students who choose to be considered for honors write an additional short statement. Topic selection and revision are supported through the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp.
Complete the grades system after submitting. Current high school seniors enter their courses and grades in STARS, the university’s self-reported academic record system. Students who use the Common App receive an email approximately 24 to 48 hours after submitting, create a Rutgers CommunityID by following that email, and then log in to the applicant portal to see which credentials are still required.
Enter extracurricular activities inside the application. Activities, employment, and community service are not required, but the university states that it considers only what is entered in the space provided on the application and does not accept a separate activity list.
College list building and the coordination of deadlines across universities are covered in EDUBUS University Admissions Planning.
Sources
- Rutgers University Undergraduate Admissions: Rutgers–New Brunswick Application Dates & Deadlines (accessed November 11, 2026)
- Rutgers University Undergraduate Admissions: Required Credentials for First-Year Applicants (accessed November 11, 2026)
Irvine Admissions Weekly
Subscribe to the EDUBUS Irvine Admissions Weekly
One email a week that rounds up the admissions news EDUBUS published that week: college application deadlines, standardized testing dates, and Irvine district updates. Every article links to its official sources.
- Minnesota Early Action II Closes December 1Early Action II at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities closes December 1 for fall 2027, with decisions by February 28. Deadlines, materials, and next steps.
- Santa Margarita Priority Deadline Nov. 15Priority admission and tuition assistance applications for the Class of 2031 at Santa Margarita Catholic High School close November 15; decisions go out December 1.
- BU Presidential Scholarship Deadline Is Dec 1Boston University's half-tuition Presidential Scholarship requires a complete admission application by December 1, with no extra essay. Eligibility, dates, next steps.
- Vanderbilt Merit Scholarships Close Dec 1Applications for Vanderbilt's two full-tuition scholarships close December 1 and open only after the admission application is submitted. Process, numbers, and next steps.
Related services
College Admissions
EDUBUS College Admissions Planning in Irvine: one advisor team coordinates eight services, from academics and testing to applications, from grade 7 to admission.
About this service →College Essay Boot Camp
A two-week in-person writing camp for this season's college applicants in and around Irvine, 10 to 12 per class, from topic and structure to revised essay drafts.
About this service →For advice specific to your child, book a free planning call.