You can try Date.parse(date_string)
.
You might also use Date#strptime
if you need a specific format:
> Date.strptime("10/15/2013", "%m/%d/%Y")
=> Tue, 15 Oct 2013
For a general solution:
format_str = "%m/%d/" + (date_str =~ /\d{4}/ ? "%Y" : "%y")
date = Date.parse(date_str) rescue Date.strptime(date_str, format_str)