<p>EA, ED, SCEA, SEAS?, etc
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silverturtle:
There are three types of early application programs (all of which usually require that applications be in by around November 1; notification is typically by December 15):</p>
<p>- Early Action : Applicants may apply to as many early action (EA) schools as they wish, as long as they only apply to EA schools. There is usually no advantage in applying EA. In fact, it is usually more difficult to get accepted early; colleges will accept only the slam-dunk applicants and defer most others. The relatively high acceptance rates for EA are largely the result of self-selection among early applicants.</p>
<p>- Single-Choice Early Action : Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) is sometimes referred to as Restrictive Early Action (REA). With a few exceptions, applicants who apply SCEA may not apply early to any other schools. However, students may apply early to in-state public universities and can apply to rolling decisions schools (consult each school’s Web sites for details on exceptions). At the moment, Stanford and Yale are the only schools that currently offer SCEA. There likewise seems to be no admissions boost in applying SCEA.</p>
<p>- Early Decision : Early Decision (ED) requires that students attend the college if they are accepted (if you are deferred, the binding agreement is waived). The only way that you can be relieved from this is if the college accepts a petition that your financial aid is not sufficient to allow your attendance. Nonetheless, you should not apply ED to a school if you need financial aid, nor should you apply ED if the school is not your first choice. ED does generally afford an admissions advantage, though.</p>
<p>See [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/354075-list-colleges-early-action-early-decision-rolling-admissions.html]here[/url ”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/354075-list-colleges-early-action-early-decision-rolling-admissions.html ]here[/url</a>] for a list of schools with early and rolling programs.
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<p>I’ll add that some ED schools allow you to apply EA elsewhere, as long as you withdraw your ED applications if you’re accepted ED.</p>
<p>For EA and SCEA, how long are students allowed to wait before they make their decision? And how long for ED?</p>
<p>You usually have until May 1, regardless of the decision plan. However, with ED, you make the decision by applying.</p>