Penn Carey Law’s current first-year J.D. deadlines are November 15 for Early Decision Round 1, January 7 for Early Decision Round 2, and March 1 for Regular Decision. Penn separately requires the file to be complete by December 1 for ED Round 1, January 15 for ED Round 2, and March 15 for Regular Decision.
| Application path | Submit by | Complete by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Round 1 | Nov. 15 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 31 |
| Early Decision Round 2 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 31 |
| Regular Decision | Mar. 1 | Mar. 15 | May 1 |
These are the dates in Penn Carey Law’s current 2026 application instructions.
Submitting the application through LSAC is not the same as having a complete file. Penn must also receive supporting materials such as the CAS report by the completion deadline.
Yes. Both ED rounds are binding. Penn states that once an Early Decision application is complete, it can be reviewed immediately and a binding decision can be issued before the stated end-of-round date.
The deadline is the last acceptable date, not necessarily the strategic target. If the application is ready earlier, there is little reason to wait solely to be closer to March 1.
But do not submit a weaker file merely to be early. A materially stronger LSAT result, recommendation or essay can justify waiting if the improvement is real.
Penn’s published framework gives ED applicants fixed decision-by dates: December 31 for Round 1 and January 31 for Round 2. Regular Decision applicants are told they will receive a decision by May 1.
March 1 for Regular Decision under the current instructions.
Round 1 is due November 15 and Round 2 is due January 7.
December 1 for ED1, January 15 for ED2, and March 15 for Regular Decision.
Yes. Both Early Decision rounds are binding.
Penn can review completed applications before the outer decision dates. Use the current application instructions for the controlling cycle rules.
Dates come from Penn Carey Law’s current 2026 J.D. application instructions.
Written by Ali Unar, Founder, Lovare Institut. Verified September 19, 2026.