Regular Decision

Regular Decision is a non-binding option with a January 1 deadline and decisions released in mid-March. This plan allows students additional time to consider Richmond and submit more senior-year grades before their application is reviewed.

Applying Regular Decision does not constitute a binding commitment to attend if admitted, and applicants are permitted to submit early and regular round applications to other institutions.

Deadlines & Notifications

Date Deadline/Notification
December 1 Richmond Scholars deadline (all applications received by December 1 will be considered automatically for Richmond Scholars; multiple stages of consideration last through mid-March).
January 1 Admission application due. After applying, students will receive access to their Spider Portal, which will allow them to check the completeness of their application and upload selected application materials.
February 1 Need-based financial aid application due.
February 15

Final credentials deadline: all items on Application Checklist must be on file for consideration.
March 13

Approximate notification date of admission decision.

Financial aid notification sent (if all application materials received on time). Presidential Scholarship recipients notified.
May 1 Enrollment confirmation and deposit due; per University policy, all enrollment deposits are non-refundable.
July 1 Final high school transcript due ASAP or no later than July 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Why apply Regular Decision?
    • You discovered Richmond late in the application cycle and need additional time to complete your application.
    • You’d like your transcript to demonstrate more of your senior year, or you’d like to submit test scores from a later testing administration.
    • You were not admitted via Early Decision at another institution and would now like to apply to Richmond.
    • If you wait to apply under our Regular Decision plan, you understand that Early Decision and Early Action applicants are given preference as the fall class is selected. This year, Regular Decision applicants account for roughly 25% of the incoming class.

  • When do I need to respond to my Regular Decision acceptance?
    Regular Decision candidates receive admission notification in mid-March and must respond to an offer of admission by May 1.

  • What is the latest standardized test date you will accept for Regular Decision?
    Final test dates accepted for RD are the December ACT and SAT administrations. Scores from the February ACT administration may be self-reported.

  • What are the possible decisions if I apply Regular Decision?
    Regular Decision applicants will receive an admission decision of admit, deny, or waitlist.