Brief: Wake Forest ED I Due Nov. 15, Interviews Open

Wake Forest University’s admission pages state that the Early Decision I deadline for fall 2027 entry is November 15, and that applicants may request one virtual interview within five days of submitting the application, with November 18, 2026, as the last day to request one. Irvine 12th graders who want an interview to add to the application should plan to submit by November 13 or earlier.

Who Is Affected by the Wake Forest Early Decision Deadline

Twelfth graders applying to Wake Forest University for fall 2027. The four rounds are:

Early Action is open only to first-generation college students, defined as students whose parents have not graduated from a four-year college; it can also include children of parents who earned a degree in another country, immigrated to the United States, and are underemployed. The university states that just over half of each incoming class enrolls through Early Decision.

What to Do Now About the Wake Forest Early Decision Deadline

Decide whether to interview. Interviews are optional, held only on Zoom, last 20 to 25 minutes, and are scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Requests go through the applicant status portal within five days of submitting the application, and no later than November 18; students who submit between November 14 and November 18 have fewer than five days to request one. The university notes that requests made close to the deadline are harder to accommodate.

Consider a video instead. Students who do not interview can answer one of three prompts in a two-to-three-minute video, also due within five days of applying; the last day for Early Decision I and Early Action is November 20.

Check materials and testing. Required items include the $85 application fee (waivers available), the transcript, the Secondary School Report, and one letter of recommendation; Early Decision applicants also submit the Early Decision Agreement. Supplemental questions and SAT or ACT scores are optional. Students who submit scores may self-report them, and the university superscores; enrolling students send official scores before arriving.

Estimate net price first. The university recommends that families concerned about the binding commitment and cost use its Net Price Calculator before applying Early Decision.

College lists and application rounds are covered by the EDUBUS college admissions planning service, and interview and video preparation can be combined with the College Essay Bootcamp. The checks to complete before submitting are in Common App Before Early Deadlines: Five Checks.

Sources

• Wake Forest University Undergraduate Admissions: How to Apply (accessed October 16, 2026)
• Wake Forest University Undergraduate Admissions: Interviews (accessed October 16, 2026)
• Wake Forest University Undergraduate Admissions: Test Optional (accessed October 16, 2026)