What should I do if I accidentally applied Regular Decision instead of Early Action?

Has anyone ever accidentally applied Regular Decision when they meant to apply for Early Action? I realized my mistake just after submitting! Is there any way to fix this, or should I just contact the admissions office?

This situation can definitely cause a bit of a panic, but remember, errors do happen and admissions teams are generally understanding. While most application platforms, like the Common App or Coalition App, do not allow changes after the application has been submitted, contacting the admissions office of the specific school you applied to is your best course of action.

You can write a polite email or make a phone call (be prepared for possible extended wait times as admissions offices can be busy), explaining your mistake and asking if it's possible to switch your application from Regular Decision to Early Action. It's essential to contact them as soon as you notice the error because if they've already started to process your application as Regular Decision, they may not be able to change it.

Keep in mind that the admissions team's willingness to accommodate your request either way depends on the individual school's procedures and how busy they are. Understand that it might not be feasible to accommodate your request, especially if it's close to or past the Early Action deadline. The earlier you catch and report your mistake, the higher your chances of a successful change. So, be sure to reach out quickly and hope for the best!