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 2024 cycle:

  • American University - ED I: by December 31, ED II: by February 15, EA: January 31

  • Amherst College - ED: early to mid-December

  • Bard College - ED I: by mid-December, EA: by mid-December. ED II: by mid-February

  • Barnard College - ED: mid-December

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

  • Baylor University - ED: by December 15, EA: by February 1

  • Boston College - ED I: December 3, ED II: by February 15

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

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

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

  • Brown University - ED: mid-December

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

  • Caltech - REA: December 12

  • Carnegie Mellon University - ED I: by December 15

  • 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: mid-December, ED II: mid-February

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

  • Colorado College - ED I: December 11, EA: December 17, ED II: February 13

  • Columbia University - ED: mid-December

  • Cornell University - ED: mid-December

  • Dartmouth College - ED: mid-December

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

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

  • Duke University - ED: mid-December

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

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

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

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

  • Georgetown University - EA: by December 15

  • Georgia Tech - EA I: December 6 7pm EST, EA II: TBD

  • Harvard University - REA: mid-December

  • Harvey Mudd College - ED I: December 15, ED II: February 15

  • Haverford College - ED I: December 15, ED II: early February

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

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

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

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

  • Middlebury College - ED I: December 7 7am EST, ED II: mid-February

  • MIT - EA: mid-December

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

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

  • Northwestern University - ED: mid-December

  • 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, ED II: by February 15

  • Pratt Institute - EA: by mid-December

  • Princeton University - SCEA: mid-December

  • Purdue University - EA: January 15

  • Rice University - ED I: mid-December

  • Rutgers University - EA: January 21

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

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

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

  • Stanford University - REA: mid-December

  • Swarthmore College - ED I: mid-December, ED II: mid-February

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

  • 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: mid-December, ED II: by early February

  • Tulane University - ED I: December 3 6pm CST, EA: by January 10, ED II: by February 15

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

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

  • University of Georgia - EA: December 6

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - EA: January 31

  • University of Maryland - EA: by February 1

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst - EA: by the end of January

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

  • University of Michigan - EA: January 31

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

  • University of Notre Dame - REA: December 17 6:42 PM EST

  • University of Pennsylvania - ED: mid-December

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

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

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

  • University of Southern California - EA: mid-to-late January

  • University of Texas at Austin - EA: January 15

  • University of Vermont - EDI: December 2, EA: late December, EDII: February 12

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

  • Vanderbilt University - ED I: mid-December, ED II: mid-February

  • Vassar College - ED I: TBD, ED II: TBD

  • Villanova University - ED I: November 25, 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, ED II: by February 14

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

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

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

  • Williams College - ED: by December 15

  • Yale University - SCEA: mid-December

Hafeez Lakhani