Hello, I have already applied REGULAR decision to Marymount Manhattan College and ROLLING admissions to Loyola University Chicago and Barry University. However, my first-choice college is definitely Harvard: will I still be able to apply Early Action to Harvard considered the limitations they pose on other private US colleges’ applications?
No issues. With REA you can apply to any and all RD and rolling admissions schools without restrictions.
That’s great! Both Barry and Loyola Chicago state that their rolling admissions have a priority deadline (respectively May 1 and Dec 1): what does that mean? Is that a problem in any way?
As long as the college does not have a binding decision, Harvard does not care when you apply to them.
For the college with priority rollinh, the earlier you apply, the better. But let’s be real, unless there is merit money at stake, if you have the stats for Harvard, most colleges with rolling admissions are safeties for you.
Great! Do you think that applying Early Action would be beneficial in any way (more chances to get into, more scholarships, etc)?
Ivy Leagues colleges offer no merit scholarships. Need-based aid is independent of when you apply. REA does not increase admissions chances. The only benefit is you get an answer by 12/15
@skieurope I’m not sure if you’re allowed to apply REA to Harvard AND rolling admissions to any private school. See: “Similarly, you may apply to a rolling admission or Early Decision II program AFTER (emphasis mine) you receive your Restrictive Early Action admissions decision from us (typically in mid-December).” I would recommend contacting the Admissions Office to be certain @feb123
Harvard First-Year Admissions: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/first-year-applicants —> Scroll down to Restrictive Early-Action
Hope that helps! Good luck with admissions!
You are correct @PikachuRocks15 . I was wrong. Serves me right for trying to rely on memory. ?
You’re right! I called them and got the unexpected information that I am not allowed to do that! Being Harvard my first choice, I withdrew the applications I had already submitted and now I’m ready to apply.
The website is confusing but under FAQ it is clear you can apply RD anytime while waiting for an REA answer. I agree the REA description seems stricter because of not capitalizing the word “early” and the poor, ominous use of the phrase “in any form”. I love it when I can point at poor writing at my alma mater lol.
What is Restrictive Early Action?
Restrictive Early Action is a non-binding early program, meaning that if you are admitted you are not obligated to enroll, and have until May 1 to decide. If you apply to Harvard under our Restrictive Early Action program, you may also apply early to non-binding public or foreign colleges/universities (no Early Decision programs), but you may not apply early (in any form) to U.S. private colleges/universities. Similarly, you may apply to a rolling admission or Early Decision II program after you receive your Restrictive Early Action admissions decision from us (typically in mid-December)
(From Harvard admission FAQ), on same website
May I apply to another college under its Regular Decision plan before I receive Harvard’s decision on my Restrictive Early Action application?
Yes. You may apply in the fall to any institution under its Regular Decision program.
You should take a very frank look at your qualifications for Harvard. If you are at or very near the top of your class, AND are an underrepresented minority, recruited athlete, or have some other real, solid “hook”, (and if you have them, top notch test scores) then yes, do apply early action. But if it’s just a gamble reach for you, and you’re just hoping that they will somehow see some reason beyond your okay qualifications, I would not waste your one ED/EA application on Harvard. Marymount, Loyola, and Barry are so much less competitive than Harvard, that either you are WAY over-qualified for them, or you are underqualified for Harvard. Perhaps you should take a look at other schools for that one-shot, Early Decision/Early Action boost, that is more likely to yield an admission that you might not have gotten through the regular decision pool?
Note OP is international.
Adding to @parentologist’s comments, any applicant has to understand what holistic means, what a top college like Harvard wants in applicants and can demand, and just how competitive it is to get an admit. This is not about dreams or what the applicants want. You need to qualify. Anyone thinking of any of the “most compettive” colleges should be digging into the college web sites for the info and some rational self assessment.
It’s a lot more than being a good student at the home high school. Now, you’ve withdrawn other apps. But have you realistically looked into your chances? Yes, this takes some work. They expect that.