Understanding CAO Deadlines and Change of Mind
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The CAO cycle involves several distinct deadlines beyond the initial application, understanding each one clearly prevents an avoidable, stressful mistake.
The initial application deadlines
An early application deadline typically offers a reduced fee, followed by a standard closing date, applying by the early deadline is generally worthwhile even if you're not fully certain of your final preferences, since Change of Mind lets you adjust later.
How Change of Mind actually works
Until early July, you can log back into your CAO account and revise your listed course preferences, reorder them, or add new ones entirely, this flexibility is valuable if your circumstances or priorities shift as your intake date approaches.
Why preference order matters so much
Offers are generally made based on your highest-ranked preference where you meet the entry requirement, meaning a lower-ranked preference you'd actually prefer more might not be reached if a higher-ranked one is offered first, order your list by genuine preference, not perceived likelihood of success.
Offer rounds and acceptance deadlines
Offers are issued in rounds over the summer, each with its own specific acceptance deadline, missing your round's deadline can mean losing the offer entirely, track your CAO account actively during this period.
What happens if you miss a deadline
Missing the standard application deadline may still allow late application in some cases, though with reduced course availability, contact an advisor promptly if you've missed a key date to understand your remaining options.
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Start Your Free Assessment →FAQs
What is the Change of Mind facility?
A window running until early July allowing CAO applicants to revise their listed course preferences, reorder them, or add new ones entirely.
Why does course preference order matter so much?
Offers are generally made based on your highest-ranked preference where you meet the requirement, so order by genuine preference, not perceived likelihood of success.
What happens if I miss my offer acceptance deadline?
You risk losing the offer entirely, offers are issued in rounds with specific deadlines, track your CAO account actively during this period.
Is it worth applying by the early deadline even if I'm unsure of my final choices?
Yes, generally worthwhile given the reduced fee, since Change of Mind lets you adjust your preferences later.
What should I do if I miss the standard CAO application deadline?
Contact an advisor promptly, late application may still be possible in some cases, though with reduced course availability.
