Can I apply early decision and early action?

Hey guys! I have a first-choice college that I'd like to apply to early decision, but I'm also considering other schools with early action deadlines. Is it possible to apply early decision to one college and early action to others? Are there any rules I should be aware of? Thanks for any advice!

Hello! I went through the college application process with my child a few years ago, and I can understand your curiosity. Yes, it is generally possible to apply early decision (ED) to one college and early action (EA) to others, but there are some caveats to be aware of.

First, some schools offer a non-restrictive EA, which allows you to apply to other schools under both ED and EA plans. However, there are also colleges that have restrictive early action (REA) or single-choice early action (SCEA) plans which may limit your ability to apply ED elsewhere. In those cases, it's important to carefully read the guidelines for each college you're planning on applying to. For example, if you're planning on applying to College A under REA, you may not be allowed to apply ED to another college.

And always remember that if you're accepted through an ED application, it's a binding commitment, and you'll need to withdraw all other applications. It's important to weigh your options and select your first-choice school wisely. Hopefully, this helps clarify the situation a bit. Good luck with your applications!