I know that you can apply early action for any amount of schools unless they have a restriction, but right now I have 6 schools on my list for early action and next fall isn’t necessarily busy but I didn’t think i’ll have the time to fill out 6 different applications. How should I narrow down my choices? (The schools on my list are the ones I need the most financial aid)
If they all take the common app, you can do it. You want to get your common app components all ready to go over the summer. Then late in the summer, start watching for the supplemental portions of the app to show up. Some schools (like UChicago) release their essay topics early, too. You will just have essays to complete, and if you stay on top of it you should be able to get those done. Get your recs lined up (unless your high school GC has rules about it, approach your recommenders near the end of junior year). Also put together a list of all the FA paperwork and deadlines for fall, and don’t miss those (a spreadsheet is great for tracking).
Make sure you write your essays during the summer! This is a mistake that so many people make; they overestimate their ability to complete applications during the school year, and once school gets busy, they realize that they do not have the time they thought they had earlier on. It’s better to be safe than sorry! Writing during the summer also allows you to have ample time to proofread your essay, and your writing will probably be more polished by doing so.
I applied to 5 schools early and it wasn’t that bad
Sometimes schoos do change their supplemental essay prompts, though… so you need to be sure you are writing to the right prompt if you are working over the summer on the school-specific essays.