I'm thinking about applying to Stanford under their Restrictive Early Action (REA) program but I'm not entirely clear on the details. Can someone explain the rules and limitations of the Stanford REA policy and how it differs from other types of early action programs? Thanks!
Certainly! Stanford's Restrictive Early Action (REA) program has a few key differences compared to regular Early Action (EA) programs. Here's a breakdown of the rules and limitations of Stanford's REA policy:
1. Non-binding: Just like regular EA, Stanford's REA program is non-binding, which means if you get accepted, you are not obligated to attend the university. You still have until May 1st to make your decision, allowing you to compare financial aid offers and choose the best fit for you.
2. Restriction on other early applications: The main difference between REA and regular EA is that under Stanford's REA policy, you cannot apply to any Early Decision (ED) program or other private college/university's EA or REA programs. However, you are allowed to apply for early action or rolling admission at public colleges and universities, as well as foreign institutions.
3. You can still apply to other regular decision schools: With Stanford's REA, you are still free to apply to other schools under regular decision deadlines.
4. Notifications: REA applicants typically receive their decision in mid-December. The decisions can be an acceptance, a denial, or a deferral to the regular decision pool.
In summary, Stanford's REA is a non-binding early application program with limitations on applying to other private colleges' early programs. It allows you to demonstrate your interest in the university and receive an early decision, but does not provide an admissions advantage compared to the regular decision process.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.