early action – Elite4usa.com

USC opened Early Decision to nearly every undergraduate program, the University of Michigan is in its second year of ED, and the University of Florida and Florida State University are offering ED for the first time with an October 15 deadline. Here are the deadlines, decision dates, exceptions, how ED differs from EA, and what families should check before signing.

College Admissions | Early Applications

New Early Decision Options This Year — USC, Michigan, UF and FSU: Should Your Student Apply ED?

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Georgia Tech, UNC, UGA, UT Austin, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida and Florida State close their early rounds on October 15, two weeks before everyone else. Here is the full list, the new binding Early Decision plans at both Florida publics, the separate document deadlines, and a four-week plan to make it.

College Admissions | Early Applications

The Deadline Isn’t November 1 — Eight Universities That Close on October 15

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

The October 3 SAT is the last SAT with scores back before November 1 early deadlines. Which colleges require scores again this year, how to use the middle-50% range to decide whether to submit at a test-optional school, the difference between Score Choice, superscoring, and all-scores policies, and what sending official scores costs and takes — a practical guide for senior families.

College Admissions | SAT

October SAT: Send the Score or Not? The Last Test Before Early Deadlines and How to Decide

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

Three conditions that tell you whether your family can commit to Early Decision, what USC's new ED plan and the disappearing supplemental essays change this year, and a week-by-week roadmap from August 1 to the November 1 deadline.

College Admissions | Early Applications

Early Decision Is a Contract, Not a Strategy: Decide in August, Submit November 1

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 30, 2026