The University of San Diego (USD) has posted new application deadlines that take effect with the fall 2027 entering class: Early Action (EA) and Early Decision I (ED I) both close on November 1, 2026, leaving Irvine seniors nine days. USD has extended its test-free admission policy through fall 2027, so SAT and ACT scores are not part of the review.
Who Is Affected by the University of San Diego Early Deadlines
The deadlines apply to high school seniors applying to USD for fall 2027. The four rounds are as follows:
| Round | Application deadline | FAFSA deadline | Decision released | Enrollment confirmation due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | November 15 | Early December | January 10 |
| Early Action | November 1 | November 15 | Mid-December | May 1 |
| Early Decision II | January 5 | January 5 | Late January | February 10 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | February 1 | Mid-March | May 1 |
Early Decision is binding, and an admitted student agrees to enroll; Early Action is not binding. USD states that applying Early Decision does not increase the chance of admission, because all applications are reviewed with the same criteria, and that an Early Decision applicant who is denied is not deferred to Regular Decision. USD reports that it received about 22,600 applications for fall 2026 and admitted 38% of applicants.
What to Do Now About the University of San Diego Early Deadlines
Prepare the required materials. First-year applicants apply through the Common App and answer the USD Member Questions. The file includes an official high school transcript, the essay, one academic letter of recommendation from a counselor or a teacher of an academic subject, and a $75 application fee. Students facing financial hardship can request a waiver through a letter from a school official or the College Board fee waiver form. USD adds that a separate activity résumé may be submitted but is not required.
Check the course record against USD’s recommendations. USD recommends four or five academic subjects each year with accelerated coursework such as honors, AP or IB, and it weights those courses when calculating GPA. The recommended high school plan is 4 years of English, 3 or 4 years of mathematics, 3 or 4 years of science (2 with lab), 3 or 4 years of world language, and 2 or more years of social studies.
Track financial aid separately. The FAFSA deadline for both early rounds is November 15, two weeks after the application deadline, so parents should prepare tax documents now.
Choosing among early rounds is part of the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service and is explained in Early Application Plans; essay writing is covered by the College Essay Bootcamp.
Sources
- University of San Diego: Apply - Undergraduate Admission (accessed October 23, 2026)
- University of San Diego: Admission Timeline (accessed October 23, 2026)
- University of San Diego: Application Requirements (accessed October 23, 2026)
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