So, I have a top-choice school where I want to apply early decision, but I'm also considering applying early action to some other universities. Can I do both? I just want to make sure I don't break any rules or hurt my chances of getting into my top choice. Thanks for your help!
Hi there! It's great that you're thinking ahead and considering your options for early decision and early action. The short answer is yes, you can apply early decision to one school and early action to others, but with some stipulations.
Early decision (ED) is a binding process, which means if you're accepted, you are committing to attend that institution, and you must withdraw all other applications. Early action (EA), on the other hand, is non-binding, and you can apply to multiple EA schools without making a commitment to attend any of them.
However, do note that some schools have 'restrictive early action' or 'single-choice early action' policies, which prohibit you from applying early decision elsewhere. So it's important to read the specific guidelines for each institution you're considering applying to.
In summary, you can generally apply both ED to one and EA to multiple schools, just make sure to carefully review each school's specific early application rules to avoid any issues. Good luck with your applications!
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.