Colleges Still Accepting Applications for Fall of 2013

Hood College

So maybe you decided to postpone college applications to take advantage of higher senior year grades, or maybe you’re not too happy with admissions results so far and want to try again.

Don’t worry—lots of colleges and universities are still accepting applications for the fall of 2013.

Locally, Marymount University, Gallaudet University, Hood College, St. John’s College of Maryland, Shenandoah University, Bowie State University, UDC, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Trinity Washington University, Bridgewater College, Virginia Union University, Hampden-Sydney College, Stevenson University, UVa at Wise, and Coppin State University are among those schools still accepting applications.

In fact, several hundred colleges are ready and very willing to consider applications—sometimes as late as the last day of August.

If you’re still looking or thinking about submitting additional applications, here are a few insider tips to jumpstart your research:

1. Common Application member institutions still open to new applicants may be found by going to the Common App website,  College Search under Member Colleges and Universities. Indicate that you’re looking for First Year and Fall 2013, and complete the deadline box according to your interest. If you’re looking for colleges with a deadline on or after March 18, 2012, you will be rewarded with a list of 205 institutions.
   
   
2. The Universal College Application makes the search even easier.  Simply go to go to this link and find 26 UCA member colleges still waiting to hear from you!
3. Using the College Board’s Big Future search engine, start by using the Type of School filter and select “4-year,” “private” and “public” (this eliminates for-profit institutions). Scan through the other filters and select your preferences for size, location, majors, etc. Click on “Close and see results.” Once results appear, go to the dropdown box labeled “Sort by:” (upper right) and click on “Application Deadline.”  
   Caution: The list starts with “01-Jan,” goes through the calendar year.  At this point, you’d want to start reviewing the colleges with mid-March deadlines.  Schools with “no deadline” are listed at the end. It's a little confusing, and the information is only as good as what colleges tell the College Board.

Once you have a "starter" list of schools that may still be accepting applications, verify deadlines by going to individual websites.

Note that schools with "rolling admissions" consider applications until their classes are filled. If websites are unclear as to the current status of the process, contact admissions offices directly and simply ask the question. You might be surprised to find many are very happy to hear from you!