<p>I have just registered and there's not much time to snoop around right now, so sorry if this has been asked before.</p>
<p>But is it a good idea to apply to many schools early action (say at least 4), provided that they are all unrestricted (can apply to more than one school)? I just thought it would be easier to have half the process out of the way early, but I have never heard of anybody else doing something like that.</p>
<p>I would say that it is a good idea. </p>
<p>1) It gets stuff done yearly (forces you to since there is an earlier deadline)</p>
<p>2) There are no real drawbacks (not committed, you said not restrictive)</p>
<p>3) No stress during second semester, you know a lot of the decisions ahead of time and maybe you will know where you are headed. </p>
<p>The only drawback I can think of is if you are forced to rush your apps to get them in before the deadline. This might force you to submit an app that you are not fully satisfied with and that is something you shouldn’t do. In order to avoid that problem I would suggest starting early and finishing up apps as they get released. This means essays as wells as requesting transcripts, recs, and other forms Also have many people edit your essays. IMHO I would apply early to as many schools as possible.</p>
<p>It’s nice to have some answers before New Year’s, and if they are the right answers, you can stop the process. I don’t think it is really unusual to complete four or five applications through either early action or rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Agree with the comments above. D applied EA to several colleges with the thought that she would withdraw her applications from her safety and lower ranked target schools if accepted EA. Her GC thought it was a good idea. She received her first EA acceptance in early November and withdrew applications from five schools. It saved D and her GC the work of completing the applications.</p>
<p>I’d say this is an excellent idea, but be careful about applying to both ED and EA schools. Although Columbia does not prohibit anyone from applying to it ED and other schools EA, Brown does not allow ED applicants to apply elsewhere early. Also, Georgetown doesn’t allow EA applicants to apply anywhere else ED…a bit confusing.</p>