Questions about Earlies

Hey all!

I have a few questions about earlies. Stanford has a Restrictive Early Action which is “non-binding”.

I don’t really understand the restrictive part. Can I not do an early decision to another school? Am I allowed to do Early Actions schools? Its Restrictive Early Action ONLY a one time thing for top schools like HYPSM?

Thanks everyone and good luck to the Class of 2020!

The Stanford website explains the policy very clearly. I suggest you look at that for clarification.

I agree that you should look at the website, but here’s my understanding of how it works:Non-binding restrictive early action means that you can apply early to Stanford and other schools, as long as the other schools are public. So an example would be if you applied to Stanford, University of Virginia and UNC early action- that is allowed because the other two schools are public. But you couldn’t apply to Stanford and UChicago early because- even though UChicago doesn’t have restrictive early action- Stanford does not want you to apply to any other private institutions early. I think that you’re allowed to apply to international schools early and you can apply to private schools if they have early deadlines for scholarships as long as that is not binding. So there are obviously some exceptions, but for the most part you can only apply to public schools early.

Non-binding means that if you get into Stanford early, you are not required to go there. Some schools have a binding early decision, which is basically a contract stating that if you are accepted early you HAVE to go there. Stanford gives you the freedom to accept or change your mind if you prefer another school. If you are accepted you have until May 1 to say yes or no. Since Stanford is non-binding you can apply to any schools regular (public, private, whatever).You can do this no matter what- whether you are rejected, accepted, or waitlisted it doesn’t matter, you still have the freedom to apply under REGULAR DECISION to any school you want! I hope that helped!

Can I not do an early decision to another school? CORRECT

Am I allowed to do Early Actions schools? NO

Its Restrictive Early Action ONLY a one time thing for top schools like HYPSM? NO. REA/SCEA is HYPS. GTown & BC have a modified REA.

@T26E4 I thought you were allowed to apply early to public schools?

You can apply to EA publics that aren’t binding. cf the Stanford website