How Many Schools Can You Apply Early Action to?

Are you a high school student looking to apply early action for college? Do you need to determine how many early action schools you can apply to? If either of these questions applies to you, you have chosen the right spot.

Knowing the pros and cons of early action is essential to making the right college decisions. Keep reading to find out the answers to your questions and understand if early action can be beneficial to you and the differences between early action vs. early decision.

How Does Early Action Work for College?

Early action refers to a student applying early to their chosen college. If you’re confused about what early action is, you don’t have to worry any longer. However, it is essential to remember that all schools are not early action schools.

Unlike some decision types, early action is a non-binding agreement. If you are accepted, you are not obligated to attend. If you’re wondering how many schools actually have some form of an early action plan, there are far more schools than you may think. Right now, that number rounds out to around 450. This includes schools like Stanford, Caltech, Georgia State University, and even Howard University.

Early action students are expected, by most schools, to have more than just good grades. Good grades at some schools are common. Therefore it is crucial to define what sets you out from the rest of the crowd. This can include community service, extracurricular activities, and work outside of your traditional schooling. Students admitted during early action have showcased not only their academic talents but also several others.

Does Early Action Increase Chances?

Like most students, you’re probably wondering if early action increases your chances of getting accepted to a specific school. Though we like to think the answer to this question will come easy, it is not that simple. There are several contributing factors in answering this question.

Some people may say yes. Students are essentially getting a jump on all other applicants, and the school may reach its “cap” before they see other qualified applications. However, other individuals may argue that students who apply early are indeed the more eager and essentially “qualified” students.

Overall, the answer to this question is no; it does not significantly increase a student’s chance of getting into an institution if they apply early or not. The acceptance rate may grow by only 1 or 2 percent for an applicant accepted during the early action period.

If you are on the fence about applying early action, do not worry, you don’t have to. If you want to take some stress out of your final days of high school and are sure about the school you want to attend, getting your admission decision out of the way early is a great idea. It gives you time to focus and put energy into other things. Or, if you’re on the fence about whether applying earlier will help the odds of you getting into your dream school, ask a counselor or check for the acceptance rate and compare the numbers yourself. Do what makes you comfortable.

Can You Apply to Early Action to More Than One School?

The short answer is yes; however, depending on the type of early action agreement you enter, that option can be taken away from you. There are different types of early action that students may choose to utilize. It is also important to remember that Early Action and Early Decision are two very different things. Use the information below to help you determine the best option for you.

Early Action:  Students who apply early action are allowed to apply to multiple schools. There is also no limit on the number of schools that a student may apply to. Therefore, when applying early action, students can choose several schools they are interested in, including their top choice and a safety school.

Restrictive Early Action: This option is only slightly different from early action because it provides more restrictions. In this option, students are only able to apply early to one institution. Students will typically need to sign a document stating that they will not apply early to other institutions.

Restrictive Early action is often known as Single Choice early action. It is a non-binding agreement. All other applications must be traditional. Though the advantage is not significant, many do feel that students applying for single-choice early action will have a greater chance of admission.

Early Decision:  Unlike early action, early decision options are binding. When utilizing Early Decision, students enter a binding agreement with a school. Therefore, if you are accepted, you must attend. With this in mind, this is an option you should only utilize If you are 100% sure about the school you want to attend. Many families find that this option is geared at a specific socio-economic class as many students need the leeway to compare financial aid packages from different schools.

There are also different stipulations set forth for Early Decision vs. Early Action. Early decision students must withdraw all other applications if they are accepted to the school that they applied to early. However, all the stipulations for acceptance mean that they will receive an admissions decision far earlier than students who applied regularly.

What is Early Action Deadline for College?

If you are thinking about going early action to any school, you must know the deadlines in advance. You do not want to miss out on your top choice simply because you did not do your due diligence. Early action is excellent for your top choice schools that you need a decision from before moving on to any others. Early action allows you to start with your top schools and go down your list.

Adhering to deadlines is one of the single most important things you can do when applying to colleges.

Usually, there are two early action applications. Along with turning in your application early, you will also receive your decision early. However, you are not obligated to attend the schools you are accepted to.

You will need to check if your school has one early action deadline or 2. Some schools may opt to have Early Action 1 or Early Action 2. The deadline for Early Action 1 will generally be some time at the beginning of November, with the early action two deadlines falling in the middle of the month.

Decisions from early applicants are well in advance of regular submissions. Students are submitting applications exceptionally early, so they can expect decisions to come back earlier as well. Students will often receive a decision within one to two months of their application submission.

Can You Apply Early Decision to Medical School?

Yes, medical schools do offer the option to apply early decision. Similarly, if you are set on going to a specific school, and any other school would be a downgrade – go ahead and apply early. If traditional school isn’t your concern and you’re looking for more specific information for medical schools, we can help you there.

However, with early decision, unlike early action, students may only apply early decision to one school. If you are accepted to this school, you are obligated to attend. Medical schools love utilizing this time to get students who are excellent representatives for their schools. Students have their sight set on a specific school and who are applying early have often been studying the qualifications needed to attend. Therefore, they are generally more than qualified applicants within the early decision pool.

Also, remember that early assurance and early decision are two very separate things. Early assurance is a program for current undergraduate students. This program allows these students to claim their medical school seats early. This is generally not offered at all schools but in a select few. Students are also typically restricted to being undergraduate students at the medical school that they are looking to attend. For example, students who attend Georgetown as undergraduates may secure a medical school seat early at the Georgetown Medical school. There are very few schools that allow students from varying undergraduate programs early.

The deadline for Early decisions for medical school students is August 1.   The student will often receive a decision by October 1, at the latest. This is, of course, after students have attended their interviews if necessary. These will generally take place between August and September. If you are not selected during the early decision, you may utilize the regular application process or reapply during a later cycle.

It’s up to you to research which schools have an early decision for medical school. Some schools include Wake Forest School of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical, and Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center.

Wrapping Things Up: How Many Schools Can You Apply Early Action To?

Don’t be discouraged, no matter the outcome of your early action or early medical school application. If you have your heart set on a specific school, don’t let that be the end. You can always apply during the regular application cycle or, most preferably, more medical students in the next cycle. It is up to you.