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Stanford Restrictive Early Action - What's the deal?

Hey everyone, I've been looking into applying to Stanford and I've come across the Restrictive Early Action option. Can someone break down the difference between REA and regular Early Action for me? Are there any specific rules or restrictions I should know about for Stanford's REA? Thanks!

11 months ago

Stanford's Restrictive Early Action (REA) is different from regular Early Action in a few key ways. REA is an early, non-binding application option, just like regular Early Action, which means that if you are accepted, you are not obligated to enroll at Stanford and have until May 1st to decide. However, there are important restrictions with Stanford's REA that do not exist in typical Early Action programs.

1. Single-choice rule: This is the main difference between REA and regular Early Action. Stanford's REA is a single-choice program, meaning that you may only apply early to Stanford and no other private colleges or universities in the United States. This restriction does not apply to public universities, foreign colleges, or scholarships that require an early application. You can still apply to those kinds of institutions early, but for private US colleges, you must choose between applying early to Stanford and any other institution.

2. No Early Decision applications: While you're applying to Stanford REA, you cannot apply Early Decision (binding) to any other college or university. This rule is to ensure that you keep your options open and avoid getting locked into a commitment before having the chance to hear back from Stanford.

Restrictive Early Action can have some benefits:

- Applying early often gives you a slightly better chance of admissions compared to regular decisions, but the benefits vary by school.

- You get your decision earlier (usually around December), which can be less stressful.

That said, consider the following before choosing to apply to Stanford REA:

- You might want to apply early to another private US college or university, which becomes unavailable to you if you apply to Stanford REA.

- REA decisions are usually more competitive because the applicant pool tends to be stronger.

- You won't know your financial aid offers from other schools until you receive the regular decision results around April.

So, if you're sure Stanford is your top choice (but don't want to commit to an Early Decision plan), are confident that you have a strong application, and are okay with the aforementioned restrictions, applying REA might be a good fit for you!

11 months ago

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