What are the differences between SCEA, ED, and EA?

Applying to College
1

I’m feeling a little confused at the alphabet soup of early application options. Can someone explain what each of these is, and give some of the colleges that offer each option?

2

SCEA or REA is Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early action. This is where you are allowed to only apply to one private university early. Examples include Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton

EA: This is just early action. You apply earlier and receive your decision earlier.

ED: This is a binding option. It stands for early decision. You apply early, get your decision early, but if you are accepted you are legally bound to attend (unless there are extenuating financial circumstances). This is typically for your first choice.

3

^^Great explanation. Don’t apply ed unless it’s your first choice. Here’s the link with most of the colleges that offer early action and early decision. I couldn’t find an entire list of scea: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/354075-list-of-colleges-with-early-action-early-decision-and-rolling-admissions-p1.html

4

Thanks, @Wharton2020‌ and @Gatortristan‌. If you are accepted SCEA or EA when is the typical deadline to accept the offer? (i.e. before or after RD)

5

same time as RD… May 1st usually

6

However, if you are accepted somewhere early decision and you applied to lets say MIT early action (which is completely possible and not breaking any rules) and you are accepted to your ED school you must revoke MIT’s applications even if your accepted ea.

7

Note that there are some variations in EA and SCEA/REA rules. For example, Tulane SCEA has fewer exceptions with respect to public schools than some of the other SCEA/REA schools. Georgetown does not want EA applicants or admits to apply ED anywhere.