You’re absolutely right, but I thought it was a bit early to introduce OP to the subtleties of ED vs REA vs. SCEA.
Also, I forgot Dartmouth and Bowdoin among the “need blind/meet need” colleges. 
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OP can APPLY to all public and international universities but not apply to a private US university through an early agreement.
(@dolaring: in US admissionspeak “to apply early” doesn’t mean “finish your application in September or October and send it out”, but “apply under a specific, binding/priority plan called ED1, SCEA, REA, or ED2”, the details of which can be found on the “Admission plans/admission deadlines” of each college, because each college can do it differently.)
For instance, this is what Yale states:
Blockquote
Applying to Other Colleges and Universities
If you are a Single-Choice Early Action applicant to Yale, you may apply to another institution’s early admission program as follows:
- You may apply to any college’s non-binding rolling admission program.
- You may apply to any public institution at any time, provided that admission is non-binding.
- You may apply to another college’s Early Decision II program, but only if the notification of admission occurs after January 1. If you are admitted through another college’s Early Decision II binding program, you must withdraw your application from Yale.
- You may apply to another college’s Early Action II program.
- You may apply to any institution outside of the United States at any time.
Blockquote
A “binding” program is a priority program where you promise to go if they admit you.
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BTW, based on the data, it seems that applying as a Physics major with a DCS double major/concentration at Bowdoin would be good: they currently have fewer Physics majors than French majors and incredible facilities.
The Engineering partnership with Dartmouth means you attend Junior Year at Dartmouth with the same financial aid as at Bowdoin: if you get a C in your classes there and graduate with your Physics major, you can return to Dartmouth for a 5th year and get a BS in Engineering. AFAIK Dartmouth has good financial aid and it’s more doable than the partnership with Columbia.
(there are only 25 spots but since currently there aren’t enough Physics majors it seems quite doable).
https://www.bowdoin.edu/physics/index.html
^this field sounds like it would be right up your alley
https://www.bowdoin.edu/digital-and-computational-studies/index.html
https://www.bowdoin.edu/physics/engineering/index.html
https://www.bowdoin.edu/ir/data/currentmajorsminors.html
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Is there a specific application for this other than the common app? And are you recommending applying for this ED or ? And also, do you think it’s worth it to apply to unis like Colby, Rochester, union college, etc? Is there chances for full financial aid there or only in need blind top unis (which I’ll apply to ofc)
So I can apply to Yale’s Single choice and also other EA applications? As they are non binding I believe
And also, just to clarify, I more interested im Engineering than Physics, I am also interested in Physics but first choice would be aerospace engineering, MIT is currently my dream school, which is why I’d really like to have the option to apply EA
No, unless it’s EA2 or at a public university.
You’d have to choose between applying to MIT and applying to Yale (or anywhere else).
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I see, well I can apply multiple EA applications correct? since none of them are non-binding
Yes, you can apply to multiple EA colleges in addition to MIT, just not Yale (o Harvard or the other REA/SCEA colleges) because their version is restricted to the colleges listed above (public universities, universities abroad, EA2/ED2, etc.)
Okay, well what would you recommend? applying to multiple colleges EA or one ED for highest chance?
and if ED, then should I apply to a top-level college ED (Dartmouth/bowdoin/Yale) or like a mid-range like Union college?
NO…not regular EA.
Read the link I provided above. SINGLE means just that…it means ONE…one only.
Applying to Other Colleges and Universities
If you are a Single-Choice Early Action applicant to Yale, you may apply to another institution’s early admission program as follows:
- You may apply to any college’s non-binding rolling admission program.
- You may apply to any public institution at any time, provided that admission is non-binding.
- You may apply to another college’s Early Decision II program, but only if the notification of admission occurs after January 1. If you are admitted through another college’s Early Decision II binding program, you must withdraw your application from Yale.
- You may apply to another college’s Early Action II program.
- You may apply to any institution outside of the United States at any time.
THIS
Okay, the only reason I was asking is cause ''You may apply to any college’s non binding rolling admission program."
Early action is non binding
Actually, MIT is not restrictive early action or single choice early action, so OP could apply to MIT EA and EA to other schools (except the SCEA schools like Yale and Stanford, because Yale/Stanford won’t allow it).
And OP, I think your confusion is that “rolling admission” is not the same as “early action”. Yale will let you apply to private colleges that have rolling admission, as long as it is not an official “EA” program. You can also apply to any public college at any time, as long as it isn’t binding.
But early action isn’t rolling admission. It’s confusing!
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It is confusing, without a doubt. Even for Americans! To make it worse, every school’s policies are a bit different. 
But for Yale… the keyword in your quote is “rolling”… it is allowed to apply to non binding rolling admission programs. It is NOT allowed to apply to other private schools EA, even though that is also non binding. You CAN apply to public schools EA.
I see, thanks guys for clearing up the confusion, would love to know your opinions on what you think would give me the best chances as well, and if you know any programs that offer financial aid and would fit what I’m looking for
I am not an expert on this, but you are getting great advice from more experienced posters.
My personal favorite, that I would have my own kid research in your shoes, is the Bowdoin/Dartmouth path suggested by @MYOS1634 in post #43. I think you would have a better chance at admission than Yale. And you would not be compromising at all in quality of education or opportunities.
Hopefully others will chime in. Best of luck!
Early Action is NOT rolling admissions. These are two different admission types.
Yes…he can apply EA to MIT and apply EA to lots of other places as long as those other places are not SCEA or REA.
What I meant is…he can’t apply early action to both Yale and MIT.
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