Effective Fall 2026 Admissions Cycle 

The University of Michigan offers three application plans for first-year applicants: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. We encourage students to pick the plan that is the best fit, considering when they will be ready to apply and if they are prepared to make a binding commitment to U-M. Regardless of the decision plan, the same rigorous holistic application review and selection process will be followed.

In order to qualify for the application plans listed below, students must submit all of the required materials by the posted deadlines. Students who apply via Early Decision or Early Action but don’t meet the requirements or deadlines will be rolled into the Regular Decision applicant pool.

Most first-year admitting schools and colleges at U-M will participate in the three decision plans, with School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) programs only available through Regular Decision with a unique Dec. 1 deadline.

Early Decision

  • Application Deadline: Nov. 1
  • Financial Aid Deadline: Nov. 15
  • Decision Date: By the end of December
  • Commitment Date: By mid-January

New for fall 2026 first-year applicants, Early Decision (ED) is a binding plan. Students who participate in the Early Decision plan will apply by Nov. 1 and can expect a decision notification by the end of December. The introduction of this new plan allows highly qualified students, who know that the University of Michigan is their top choice institution, to affirm their commitment to the university earlier in the annual application cycle.

Financial aid packages for students who submitted their CSS Profile and FAFSA by Nov. 15 will follow closely after decision release.

Early Decision ​​is appropriate for students who are committed to attending ​U​-M if they are admitted. The applicant, a parent or guardian, and the high school counselor must sign the Early Decision Agreement, indicating the student’s commitment to attend ​U​-M if offered admission. If the student is admitted to ​U​-M through Early Decision, they must immediately withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities.

Students who participate in Early Decision could receive these possible outcomes: admit, deny, or postpone to Early Action. Students postponed to Early Action will no longer have a binding commitment if admitted.

Early Action

  • Application Deadline: Nov. 1
  • Financial Aid Suggested Filing Date: Dec. 15
  • Decision Date: By the end of January
  • Financial Aid Deadline: March 1
  • Commitment Date: By May 1 

The Early Action (EA) deadline is best for students who are prepared to apply early and are interested in receiving an admissions decision early, but are still considering their college options. Early Action is nonbinding, meaning admitted students can consider all of their options, including decisions from other colleges/universities and financial aid packages, before making a decision. Students admitted through EA have until May 1 to commit to U-M.

Financial aid packages for students who submitted their CSS Profile and FAFSA by the Dec. 15 suggested filing date will follow closely after decision release.

Students who participate in Early Action could receive these possible outcomes: admit, deny, or postpone to Regular Decision.

Regular Decision

  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1
  • Financial Aid Suggested Filing Date: Dec. 15
  • Financial Aid Deadline: March 1
  • Decision Date: By early April
  • Commitment Date: By May 1 

The Regular Decision (RD) deadline is the standard nonbinding application plan. Applying as a Regular Decision applicant provides students more time to complete their application and collect the required materials. It also provides time for students to consider their college options and financial aid packages before committing.

Financial aid packages for students who submitted their CSS Profile and FAFSA by the Dec. 15 suggested filing date or the March 1 financial aid deadline will follow closely after decision release.

Students who participate in Regular Decision could receive these possible outcomes: admit, deny, or waitlist.