Notre Dame REA application process

Hey guys, as a junior I'm starting to think about the college application process. Does anyone here have experience with the Notre Dame REA (Restrictive Early Action) program? What are the pros and cons of applying early to Notre Dame?

Applying through Notre Dame's Restrictive Early Action (REA) program can be a good choice if Notre Dame is one of your top choices, but you want to keep your options open for other schools. Here are some pros and cons of applying REA to Notre Dame:

Pros:

1. Increased chances: While the exact statistics vary by year, applying REA can improve your chances of admission compared to applying Regular Decision (RD). Since Notre Dame is committed to enrolling students who genuinely have a strong interest in the school, applying REA can demonstrate your dedication.

2. Early notification: You'll receive an admission decision in December, much earlier than RD applicants, who usually hear back in the spring. This allows you to know your status early, possibly reducing stress and giving you more time to plan for your college journey.

3. Flexibility: REA is non-binding, which means you're not obligated to attend if accepted. You'll have until May 1st to decide and compare financial aid packages from other universities. This makes REA a suitable option if you're considering multiple colleges and want to compare offers.

Cons:

1. Restrictive application process: When you apply REA to Notre Dame, you cannot apply Early Decision (ED) or Restrictive Early Action (REA) to any other colleges. However, you can still apply Early Action (EA) to non-restrictive schools, as well as during Regular Decision periods at other institutions.

2. Competitive applicant pool: The REA applicant pool can be quite competitive as many high-achieving students apply early to show their interest in Notre Dame. As a result, you might be competing with applicants who have strong qualifications.

3. Limited time to strengthen your application: Applying in November means you'll have less time to improve your grades, test scores (if applicable), extracurriculars, or essays compared to applying in the Regular Decision round. If you feel your application could benefit from the additional time, you might want to reconsider applying REA.

To determine if Notre Dame's REA program is the right choice for you, carefully weigh the pros and cons while considering your college preferences, qualifications, and how prepared you are to submit a strong application by the REA deadline.