What happens if I apply restrictive early action and early decision?

Schools that use restrictive early action ask prospective students to apply early only at that institution. Typically, such colleges require students to sign a form stating that they will not apply to other early admissions programs, with some exceptions. If students are accepted, they're under no commitment to attend.

Can I do restrictive early action and early decision?

Restrictive Early Action: Like early action, REA is non-binding, but students may only apply to one private school with REA. They also can't apply Early Decision to other schools.

Can I apply EA and ED at the same time?

Because of early decision's binding nature, students are allowed to apply to only one school's early decision. Your child may simultaneously apply to early decision and early action programs. However, if they get into the early decision program, they'll have to withdraw all other applications.

Can you apply early action and then regular decision?

Almost all early action policies allow applicants to apply to other schools for early or regular admission decisions. A few highly selective schools, however, employ "restrictive" or "single choice" early action policies.

Does restrictive early action help for Harvard?

While admit rates tend to be higher in Restrictive Early Action, this reflects the remarkable strength of the applicant pool rather than a benefit of application timing. For any individual student, the final decision likely would be comparable whether the student applies Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision.

Where Early Decision (or Restrictive Early Action) Matters in College Admissions

Is it worth applying restrictive early action?

Generally, applying early to any school, regardless of the specific type of early admissions, gives prospective students a greater chance of acceptance. Lee says the strongest candidates usually apply restrictive early action for the most selective schools.

Is there a downside to applying early action?

Your record might stand out more when competing with those in the regular admissions cycle. You can't compare and negotiate financial aid offers unless you receive them form several schools. Early on, it's much harder to tell where close friends (or even enemies) may be going to college.

What happens if you apply early action to two colleges?

Yes. Unlike early decision, early action isn't a binding offer, meaning you can apply to multiple schools. You have the option to submit several applications under early action. Even with early action decisions, you don't have to decide immediately.

Why do I regret applying early decision?

But if you do apply early decision, many schools treat your acceptance to their program as binding, meaning you can't apply to any other schools and then compare and contrast their programs — and (don't miss this part like I did!) the financial aid benefits they're offering to you.

What happens if you apply early decision to two colleges?

First off, you can only apply to one school early decision. This is because early decision means you're making a binding agreement to enroll in that school if you get accepted. This contract will be part of your application and will require a signature from your parents and school counselor, as well as from you.

Do you get less financial aid if you apply early decision?

Reduced financial aid opportunities: Students who apply under ED plans receive offers of admission and financial aid simultaneously and will not be able to compare financial aid offers from other colleges. For students who absolutely need financial aid, applying early may be a risky option.

Can I switch my application from ED to regular decision?

To move forward, you should write to the admissions office expressing your need to change your application from ED to RD. Be polite and concise in your request. Explain that after careful consideration, you've determined that ED isn't the best option for you right now.

Is it better to apply EA or regular?

Generally, you apply to multiple colleges through Early Action (some schools only allow single-choice Early Action) and apply to other schools via Regular Decision. Early Action lets you compare financial aid packages and other offers, giving you more time to find your best-fit college at the right price.

How many colleges can you apply restrictive early action?

However, certain schools, such as Harvard College and Princeton University, have single-choice early action, sometimes known as “restrictive” early action, which means that you can only apply to that one institution EA.

Can you get deferred from restrictive early action?

When admissions officers read your application in the Early Action/Early Decision/Restrictive Early Action round, they only see your grades through junior year or early senior year. The deferral allows them to see more of your senior year performance before making a final decision on your application.

What Ivy Leagues have restrictive early action?

Some schools such as Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown offer a restrictive early action process. With it, you are only allowed to apply to a single school by restrictive early action and not apply early decision anywhere else.

Can you apply regular decision if rejected from early decision?

After a rejection in the Early Action/Early Decision round, students cannot — under any circumstances — reapply in the Regular Decision round. If a college denies your admission in the Early round, except for a couple of schools that allow for an appeal, that's the final word on your candidacy for the year.

What happens if you get accepted to multiple early decisions?

Early Decision policies prohibit you from applying to any other school Early Decision. After all, you agree to enroll if admitted. You obviously cannot comply with this for more than one school. You violated a binding agreement with both schools.

What colleges have restrictive early action?

This list includes results from American University, Boston College, Boston University, Brown, Bucknell, Colorado College, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Fairfield, Florida State University (in-state), Fordham, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern (Boston Campus), Notre Dame, Rice, Santa Clara University, the University of ...

Does restrictive early action increase chances?

Applying either restrictive early action or early decision to college not only increases your chances of acceptance, but if you're accepted, you don't have to submit regular decision applications if you get in REA to your dream school!

Does early action actually increase chances?

Early action often does not offer a higher acceptance rate but provides the benefit of learning early what the admission decision from the college is. On the other hand, students often do benefit from getting their application in early.”

Does early action look at senior grades?

But what happens if you've applied to college as an Early Decision or Early Action applicant? Most colleges will still want to be sent grades from your first quarter of senior year. However, their decision to accept or reject you into their institution will have already been made based on your grades from junior year.

Does EA affect acceptance rate?

Early Action (EA):

Unlike Early Decision, Early Action offers are not-binding. So, colleges still need to admit at least two students to fill each open spot, even in the early round. Therefore, applying Early Action won't give you significantly better odds than applying regular—you just find out sooner.

How many EA schools should I apply to?

Generally, one should apply Early Action (EA) to as many schools as one can, if the school offers a non-restricted EA. Some schools often fill up via EA, and many schools have a deadline around their EA deadline for any students who are interested in receiving scholarships.

Can you apply both early action and regular decision to the same college?

You can only apply early decision to one school because if you are accepted to that school, you have contracted to attend that school upon admission. Early action is not binding, it simply allows you to potentially receive an early response to your application.