Application Details and Information

Future Tigers can find details about application requirements, selection criteria, and deadlines on their applicant pages.

First-Year Applicants

Transfer Applicants

International Applicants

Graduate Applicants

 

 

Which first-year application type is right for me?

Trinity University offers three first-year application deadlines: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.

First-Year Application Deadlines

Decision DeadlineApplication DueNotification from TrinityDeposit Due
Early Decision INovember 1December 1February 1
Early ActionNovember 1December 15May 1
Early Decision IIFebruary 1March 1March 15
Regular DecisionFebruary 1March 15May 1
APPLY EARLY, KNOW EARLY

Early Decision I and II

At Trinity, applying Early Decision is recommended for students who identify Trinity as their first choice.

Stand out among a smaller applicant pool

Trinity’s overall acceptance rate is 28% compared to 54% for Early Decision.  Applying Early Decision will help you stand out in the hundreds as compared to the thousands of applicants in Early Action or Regular Decision.

Make a commitment to attend Trinity

Applying Early Decision means you commit to attend Trinity if admitted. This matters a great deal to us as we aim to personally engage with our applicants. Your strong interest in Trinity as a first choice is an influential factor in our decision-making process.

Get notified early

Being admitted under Early Decision means you can fully enjoy your senior year knowing you are now officially a Tiger!

Apply Now Early Decision Agreement Form

EARLY DECISION AFFORDABILITY

Trinity is my top college choice but how can I apply ED without knowing if I can afford to attend?

Students often tell us that Trinity is their top choice but they are unsure of applying Early Decision without first knowing if they will receive scholarships or other financial aid. We understand that finances can play a significant role in a student’s college decision. If you would like to better assess the cost and value of Trinity, we can provide an early financial aid estimate prior to submitting your ED application.

Request an early financial aid estimate

Myths of Applying Early Decision

MYTH #1:  Students who may require need-based financial aid should not consider applying Early Decision.

REALITY: Trinity is committed to making this educational experience financially feasible to all students regardless of their decision plan. Early Decision applicants are eligible to receive the same amount of aid as Early Action or Regular Decision applicants.

MYTH #2:  Since Early Decision applicants are committing to an institution early, they may receive fewer merit scholarships than other applicants.

REALITY: This is not true at Trinity. A student who qualifies for one of our academic scholarships will be awarded one regardless of application type.

MYTH #3:  Applying Early Decision makes it easier to be admitted.

REALITY: Acceptance rates for Early Decision applicants tend to be higher among selective institutions because students are expressing a commitment to enroll if offered admission. This can help admissions officers better predict the size and characteristics of the incoming class of students.

Advice for Applying Early Decision

  • Conduct thoughtful research of multiple institutions and a self-assessment to determine which college or university provides the best educational experience for you.
  • Be honest with yourself. If you are not feeling ready to identify a college as a first choice, don't apply Early Decision to any school. 
  • Avoid applying Early Decision if you are only considering the binding commitment for tactical reasons. Early Decision admission plans should be about the fit between a student and an institution.
  • Utilize Trinity’s scholarship listings, net price calculator, and cost worksheet to understand your financial commitment. 
  • Ready to apply Early Decision? Don’t forget to submit your Early Decision Agreement Form.
  • Want to switch into a different decision plan? No problem! Log into your application portal to submit the Decision Plan Change Form.
COMMITMENT ISSUES? NO PROBLEM!

Early Action and Regular Decision

Early Action

If you want to get a jump start on your college search process but are not ready to commit to a university, Early Action might be a better option for you. Early Action is for students who wish to receive early notification of their admissions status but do not want a binding agreement to attend Trinity. Early Action applications must be submitted by November 1, and students are notified of admission decisions by December 15. Students admitted under Early Action have until May 1 to submit their $500 deposit or decline their offer of admission.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision applications must be submitted by February 1, and students will be notified by March 15 of their status. These students must submit their $500 deposit or decline their offer of admission by May 1. The $500 deposit is used to reserve your spot in the class and in the residence hall. Note that May 1 is a common reply date nationwide; every school must give you at least until then to make up your mind (unless you apply through an Early Decision program).