You do not need to apply Early Action (EA), but this fast-paced approach may fit your needs by providing you with a decision earlier in the process. It's a great option if you know that the University of Michigan is one of your top choice schools.

The Chief Advantage of Early Action

Early Action provides you with a guaranteed decision date. For many students, this enables better planning.

Through the University of Michigan’s Early Action program, you can apply earlier in the admissions timeline—by Nov. 1 of your senior year in high school—and receive a decision on admission by late January.

How Does Early Action Work

There are a few aspects of Early Action to be aware of before you jump in, particularly:

  • Early Action is for first-year applicants applying for the fall term.
  • Applications to the College of Pharmacy, the Marsal School of Education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), and the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning will receive their decision as part of the Regular Decision process and are not considered for Early Action. However, any Stamps School of Art & Design, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, or College of Engineering dual-degree application submitted with an SMTD or Taubman College application will receive Early Action consideration if completed by the Nov. 1 deadline.
  • The Office of Undergraduate Admissions promises no special privileges to Early Action candidates, such as giving your application materials a higher priority or a more lenient review. Choosing to apply through Early Action does not make it easier or harder to gain admission to U-M—it is merely a way to get your decision sooner.
  • Because our decision is non-binding, you aren’t committed to attending University of Michigan, if admitted during Early Action. 

To Apply

Applying for Early Action typically involves the same steps and materials as regular admissions.

In order to qualify for EA, all required application materials, including the Common Application, high school transcript(s), School Report, and Teacher Evaluation, must be either electronically received or postmarked by Nov. 1.

EA candidates have through Nov. 15 to self report test scores if they wish to have them considered. EA applicants who are otherwise complete, but who have not self-reported an ACT/SAT score to our office by Nov. 15 will be reviewed as test-optional candidates for early action. More information about U-M’s test-optional policy is available on our Application Changes webpage.

Deadlines and Decisions

Complete application and materials - electronically received or postmarked by Nov. 1
Early Action decision release - by late January
Final equal consideration deadline - Feb. 1

Note: Students who apply via Early Action but don’t meet the requirements or deadlines will be rolled into the regular decision applicant pool. All materials must then be postmarked by Feb. 1 and decisions will be released by early April.

The decision received during Early Action will be one of three: admit, deny, or postpone for a final decision by early April.

All admissions decisions will be posted on Enrollment Connect.