CampusPin Glossary
Early Action (EA)
A non-binding early-application option that lets students apply early and hear back early without committing to attend.
Early Action lets applicants submit by an early deadline (usually November 1 or 15) and receive an admission decision in mid-December. Unlike Early Decision, EA is not binding — admitted students can still apply to other schools and choose by the May 1 reply date. EA acceptance rates are typically modestly higher than regular decision because applications are reviewed before the rush.
Most schools allow students to apply EA to multiple schools simultaneously. A subset use Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) which limit other early applications.
See also
Early Decision (ED)
A binding early-application option: if admitted, the student must withdraw all other applications and enroll.
Restrictive Early Action (REA / SCEA)
A non-binding early option that restricts where else the applicant can apply early — typically barring other private-school early applications.
Regular Decision
The standard application timeline: apply by January 1–15, hear back by late March or early April, choose by May 1.
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