Which top schools offer early action (non-binding) application?

Applying to College
1

Hello! I am wondering which of the “top schools” offer early action admission, where you apply early, hear back early, but aren’t bound into attending that school. Specifically, which schools on this list offer EA? Please respond even if you only know the answer for one or a few of these schools! Thank you!!!
Harvard
Princeton
Yale
Columbia
Dartmouth
Brown
Penn
Stanford
Georgetown
William and Mary
Northwestern
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Michigan
Vanderbilt
Tulane
Duke
Emory

Thanks again!!

2

If you’re smart enough to consider applying to those (ultra-selective) schools, then I think you can figure out whether each school has binding or non-binding early policies.

3

Each one of them has a web site. And each posts their admission options.

4

I know UChicago, Georgetown, UMichigan have Early Action. I’m pretty sure that none of the others do (they have ED or REA or SCEA) but you should probably check their websites.

5

There are already lists on the internet. Some are competing blogs so I won’t post links but you could easy google “Colleges with EA” or "Colleges with SCEA) etc.

6

Golfcashoahu, thanks for the vote of confidence! You are correct, I am smart enough to figure this information out on my own! However, just as you suggested, I am qualified to apply to these schools and thus am incredibly busy with academics and activities, and would rather not search 18 different websites. Just reaching out to a usually friendly community for a few quick answers, as many people on this site know the answer to my question without having to look on the websites because of their own experience with college applications.

7

Dsi411, thank you very much!! :slight_smile:

8

Harvard Nonbinding
Princeton Nonbinding
Yale Nonbinding
Columbia Binding
Dartmouth Binding
Brown Binding
Penn Binding
Stanford Nonbinding
Georgetown Nonbinding
Northwestern Binding
University of Chicago Nonbinding
University of Michigan Nonbinding
Vanderbilt Binding
Tulane Nonbinding
Duke Binding

9

(Note that many schools on @PartyNextDoor 's list are Single Choice or Restricted EA)

10

@PartyNextDoor thank you!!

11

@marvin100 Could you briefly explain the difference between Single Choice and Restricted EA? Thank you so much for your insight :slight_smile:

12

Again, as an aspiring collegian for top schools, google “restrictive Early action”

13

Okay, some of these lists are incorrect so I will give you the run down:
All are binding/restricting except UMich, Tulane, UChic.
Single choice and Restricted EA is the same thing, I believe. Basically, you can’t apply to any private binding programs, but you can apply to public non-binding ones or to ones with scholarship deadlines. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure they’re both same as EA.
If I have posted any wrong info, please feel free to correct me.

14

@sona7662 You’re mostly wrong. Partynextdoor nails it.

binding does not equal restrictive. Most of those colleges have non-binding EA. Some of the EA schools have restricted/single choice EA (you’re right that REA = SCEA).

OP: you’re not that doggone busy. I find that hard to believe.

15

Caltech and MIT are also EA.
Tulane added ED and removed SCEA. Still have EA.

Since you listed William and Mary (which is ED), you may also be interested in UVA, which has EA.