<p>Hey, I'm going to be applying this fall to the University of Chicago, among other schools. Having lived in the Chicago-land area, I understand that this university is highly recognized and is definitley one of my top choices. I want to apply Early Action in order to send a strong positive message. I would like to know, however, if students are allowed to apply Early Action to UChicago, AND Early Decision to another university, provided that if accepted to the latter university the student will go there. If anyone can shed some light that would be great.</p>
<p>yes, that is possible.</p>
<p>Chicago has no restrictions on applying elsewhere, BUT the other schools might, be sure you understand the distinctions between ED, SCEA, and EA when applying.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm not familiar with what SCEA is. Could you fill me in?</p>
<p>SCEA is Single Choice Early Admissions. Some schools, such as Stanford, will allow one to apply early if one applies early only to Stanford. That is, no other EA or ED applications. Once admitted, however, the admission is not binding. One can apply elsewhere RD. Some ED schools have this rule as well, others do not. One should not apply to more than one school ED since admission is binding. ED & EA applications can often be made since EA is not binding. One way around the SCEA is to apply to some rolling admissions RD schools. Some of these, though considered RD, will give there decisions much earlier than April 1.</p>
<p>I was going to apply to UChicago, but figure that since i'll be listing them as my first choice nat'l merit scholar school, i can apply RD so that maybe i'll get an even better financial aid offer because if i applied early they may think they wouldn't have to give me as much to attract me. Just my thoughts...
And yeah, even if schools like UChic aren't restricting in what other schools you can apply to early, other schools you're looking at may</p>
<p>Chicago is need blind for admissions and the need-based financial aid decisions are not made by the admissions office, so applying Early will be of no consequence for aid. Since Chicago an EA not ED school, merit awards are not affected either. The EA admit rate was about 40% and the overall (including EA) rate was 36%. It looks like applying EA might not be a bad idea if it is really one's number 1 school and one does not need the fall senior grades to boost GPA.</p>
<p>Let's say Chicago is my first choice, and Harvard my second (they are close). I feel pretty confident about UChicago (good stats, genuine interest, can write a main essay). It's dramatically harder to get into Harvard RD as compared to SCEA. Would I possibly lose anything by not doing EA at Chicago? (merit aid? a significant change in chances?)</p>
<p>In the past there was little difference, this year that changed somewhat, but if one is a strong candidate it won't matter all that much.</p>