Can I apply both early action and early decision?

Hi guys, I have a question. Can I apply early action to one school and early decision to another at the same time? I want to increase my chances of getting into my top choice, but I'm also interested in another college that offers early action. If anyone could help me understand the rules regarding this, I'd appreciate it!

Hello! It's great that you're considering your options for college applications. Yes, you can apply to one school through early decision (ED) and another via early action (EA) simultaneously. Early decision is a binding agreement, meaning that if you are accepted, you're committed to attending that institution. Early action, on the other hand, isn't binding, allowing you to apply to multiple colleges and compare financial aid packages before making a decision.

For example, say you apply Early Decision to College A and Early Action to College B. If you're accepted into College A (ED), you are committed to that college and must withdraw your applications from other schools, including College B (EA). However, if you're only accepted to College B or deferred from College A, you have the option to consider other colleges.

Keep in mind that some colleges offer restrictive early action/ single-choice early action, which limits the number of schools you can apply to during the early application period. Be sure to check the guidelines for each college you're considering. I hope this information helps and good luck with your applications!