<p>Hi, I'm strongly considering applying to Harvard under their Early Action plan but am a bit confused as to the "restrictive" aspect of it all. I have no problem submitting any other early action applications to other universities but have unfortunately already sent out one application to a private university under their early action plan. This application I already sent was NOT done through common app and I sent it back in late July, early August before I even knew of Harvard's early action plan. Would Harvard deny me admission for having this other application pending or is the "restrictive" aspect, being that it is non-binding, not heavily enforced? Thank you. </p>
<p>You can always have the other application switched to RD. You just need to contact the other school and let them know that.</p>
<p>Some schools with REA allow you to apply EA to private colleges if that is required to receive merit money. Not sure Harvard allows that, but some do.</p>
<p>I have no idea how Harvard actually enforces their REA policy or if they ever do, but it would really suck to get accepted and rescinded for violating it. Schools would need to exchange lists of students who applied or were accepted to actually enforce it, and some schools do this. At one point, Harvard was known for rejecting/rescinding students who had rejected an ED offer from another school, so obviously they have some way of finding out.</p>
<p>@Alex478 MrMom gives you excellent advice. Change your status from the 1st school applied from EA to RD and you’ll not be in any violation of H’s REA. Keep a copy of any confirmation email from the 1st school too.</p>