Changing from Early Action to Regular Decision: How Can I Do It?

I've applied to a few schools with early action, but I'm considering switching one or two to regular decision to have more time on my application. Has anyone done this? How do I go about making the change?

Absolutely, it's possible to switch your application from Early Action (EA) to Regular Decision (RD) for many universities. However, the actual process for making this change can vary based on the school and the potential deadlines involved. Here's a general step-by-step guide to making this change.

1. Assess the Deadline: First, check if the Early Action deadline has already passed at your respective universities. Once the deadline has passed, the university starts the review process and any changes to the type of admission may not be feasible.

2. Contact Admissions: If you're still within the timeline, the next step is to get in touch with the admissions office directly, either by email or phone call. They should be able to provide instructions based on their specific procedures.

3. Follow Instructions: Each university can have unique policies in place. Some may ask for a written request to switch your application from EA to RD, either via email or a formal letter. Make sure to have your application details such as your application ID, full name, and date of birth ready to share. In some cases, they might allow you to make the change directly through the application portal.

Handle this promptly to ensure the switch is made before any major decision-making processes begin. You should also request a receipt or written confirmation of the change being made, purely for your records and to ensure downstream processes align with your request.

Remember, extensions for EA are rare, so you should complete the necessary steps as soon as possible to ensure the process is seamless and does not negatively impact your application. Hope this helps and best of luck with your applications!