Honing in on REA, EA, and ED Release Dates

The college admissions process can be a rollercoaster of emotions, deadlines, and decisions. Two terms that often pop up in discussions about early applications are REA (Restrictive Early Action), EA (Early Action), and ED (Early Decision). Each offers students the chance to submit their applications ahead of regular decision deadlines, but they come with their own set of rules and timelines.

What is REA?

Restrictive Early Action is a non-binding early application option that allows students to apply to a college early and receive their admissions decision earlier than regular decision applicants. However, the "restrictive" part means that applicants are usually limited to applying to only one REA school. This is different from Early Action (EA), which typically allows students to apply to multiple schools.

What is EA?

Early Action, unlike REA, is a non-binding early application option that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and receive their admissions decisions early. It provides the benefit of getting an early decision without the commitment that comes with Early Decision. Students have the flexibility to compare offers from different schools before making their final decision.

ED: A Commitment

On the other hand, Early Decision is a binding agreement. If you apply ED to a college and are accepted, you are obligated to attend that institution and withdraw all other college applications. It's a significant commitment and should only be chosen by students who are sure about their top-choice school.

Release Dates Matter

Once you've submitted your REA, EA, or ED application, the next hurdle is the agonizing wait for the decision. The release dates for these decisions vary from college to college, but they generally fall in December. Some colleges release decisions in the early part of the month, while others wait until the middle or end. It's crucial to check the specific release dates for the schools you've applied to.

Tips for the Waiting Game

  • Stay Busy: Distract yourself with hobbies, schoolwork, or other activities to keep your mind off the impending decision.

  • Prepare for Multiple Outcomes: While optimism is great, it's wise to be prepared for any outcome. Have a plan in place for acceptance or rejection.

  • Connect with Peers: Reach out to friends or online communities going through the same process. Sharing experiences can help alleviate some stress.

  • Celebrate the Achievements: Regardless of the decision, remember that completing the application process is an accomplishment in itself.

Whether you've chosen REA, EA, or ED, the release date of your admissions decision can be a nerve-wracking experience. Understanding the terms and conditions of these early application options is crucial, and preparing for the potential outcomes can make the waiting game a bit more bearable. Best of luck to all the prospective college students out there—you've got this!

Here is a list of some universities and colleges REA/EA/ED release dates for the 2023-2024 cycle:

  • American University - ED I: by December 3, ED II: by February 15

  • Amherst College - ED: early to mid-December

  • Bard College - ED I: by December 31, EA: by December 31. ED II: by January 31

  • Barnard College - ED: December 14

  • Bates College - ED I: by December 20, ED II: by February 15

  • Baylor University - ED: by December 15, EA: by January 15

  • Boston College - ED I: by December 15, ED II: by February 15

  • Boston University - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 15

  • Bowdoin College - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 15

  • Brandeis University - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 1

  • Brown University - ED: December 15 3 PM EST

  • Bucknell University - ED I: December 13, ED II: mid-February

  • Caltech - REA: December 9

  • Carnegie Mellon University - ED I: by December 15, ED II: by February 1

  • Claremont McKenna College - ED I: by December 15, ED II: by February 15

  • Colby College - ED I: on or before December 15, ED II: on or before February 15

  • Colgate University - ED I: December 13, ED II: mid-February

  • College of the Holy Cross - ED I: December 15, ED II: by February 15

  • Colorado College - ED I: December 12 6 PM EST, EA: late December, ED II: mid-February

  • Columbia University - ED: December 14 7PM EST

  • Cornell University - ED: December 8

  • Dartmouth College - ED: December 15 4PM EST

  • Davidson College - ED I: December 16 10AM, ED II: by January 31

  • Drexel University - ED I: December 14, EA: mid-December

  • Duke University - ED: December 14 7PM

  • Emerson College - ED I: mid-December, EA: mid-January, ED II: early February

  • Emory University - ED I: December 13 6PM, ED II: by February 15

  • Fordham University - ED I: December 20, EA: December 20, ED II: February 15

  • George Washington University - ED I: December 14 4PM, ED II: by late February

  • Georgetown University - EA: December 15

  • Georgia Tech - EA I: December 8, EA II: TBD

  • Harvard University - REA: December 14 7PM EST

  • Harvey Mudd College - ED I: December 12 6PM EST, ED II: February 15

  • Haverford College - ED I: December 8 7PM EST, ED II: early February

  • Howard University - EA: late January, ED: late January

  • Johns Hopkins University - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 16

  • Lehigh University - ED I: December 8, ED II: mid-February

  • Miami University - ED: December 1, EA I: by December 15, EA II: by February 1

  • Middlebury College - ED I: December 8, ED II: mid-February

  • MIT - EA: December 16 12:16 PM EST

  • New York University - ED I: December 14 4PM EST, ED II: February 15

  • Northeastern University - ED I: December 13, EA: by February 15, ED II: by March 1

  • Northwestern University - ED: December 15

  • Oberlin College - ED I: by December 15, ED II: by February 1

  • Penn State University - EA: by December 24

  • Pepperdine University - EA: January 10

  • Pomona College - ED I: by December 15 5PM EST, ED II: by February 15

  • Pratt Institute - EA: by mid-December

  • Princeton University - SCEA: December 14 7PM EST

  • Purdue University - EA: January 15

  • Rice University - ED I: December 14 5PM CST

  • Rutgers University - EA: January 31

  • Sarah Lawrence College - ED I: late December, EA: late December, ED II: early February

  • Skidmore College - ED I: December 7 7PM, ED II: by mid-February

  • Smith College - ED I: December 15, ED II: late January

  • Stanford University - REA: December 15 4PM PST

  • Swarthmore College - ED I: December 12 7PM EST, ED II: mid-February

  • Syracuse University - ED I: late December rolling through January, ED II: late January rolling through February

  • Temple University - EA: by January 10

  • Texas A&M University - EA Engineering: mid-December

  • The New School, Parsons - EA: late December – early January

  • Tufts University - ED I: December 14 7PM EST, ED II: by mid-February

  • Tulane University - ED I: December 5 7PM, EA: by January 10, ED II: by February 15

  • University of Chicago - ED I: December 18, EA: December 18, ED II: mid-February

  • University of Colorado – Boulder - EA: by February 1

  • University of Georgia - EA: by December 15 4PM

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - EA: January 26

  • University of Maryland - EA: by February 1

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst - EA: January 24

  • University of Miami - ED I: December 8, EA: by the end of January, ED II: by late February

  • University of Michigan - EA: by late January

  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - EA: January 31

  • University of Notre Dame - REA: December 15 6:42 PM EST

  • University of Pennsylvania - ED: December 14 7PM EST

  • University of Richmond - ED I: around December 15, EA: around January 25, ED II: around February 15

  • University of Rochester - ED I: December 9, ED II: early February

  • University of San Francisco - ED: December 12, EA: late January

  • University of Southern California - EA: January 23

  • University of Texas at Austin - Priority: February 1

  • University of Vermont - ED: December 1, EA: late December

  • University of Virginia - ED: December 15 5PM EST, EA: by February 15

  • Vanderbilt University - ED I: December 14 5PM CST, ED II: mid-February

  • Vassar College - ED I: December 12, ED II: early February

  • Villanova University - ED I: December 15, EA: by January 20, ED II: by February 15

  • Virginia Tech - EA: TBD

  • Wake Forest University - ED I: Rolling, EA: by January 15, ED II: around February 15

  • Washington & Lee University - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 1

  • Washington University in St. Louis - ED I: December 13 8PM EST, ED II: by February 16

  • Wellesley College - ED I: December 8, ED II: mid-February

  • Wesleyan University - ED I: December 9, ED II: mid-February

  • William & Mary - ED I: December 5, ED II: early February

  • Williams College - ED: December 8

  • Yale University - SCEA: December 14 5PM EST

Hafeez Lakhani