Does Stanford offer early action?

Hi all! I'm really interested in Stanford and was thinking about applying early action to increase my chances. I've heard mixed information regarding this, though. Does Stanford offer an early action opportunity, or is it strictly regular decision?

Hi! Yes, Stanford does offer an early application option, but it's not exactly Early Action—it's called Restrictive Early Action (REA). The main difference between standard Early Action and Restrictive Early Action is that under REA, you cannot apply to any other private colleges or universities in the United States under an early action, early decision, or any other early application plans (although you can still apply to public institutions and international schools early). If admitted to Stanford under REA, the decision is non-binding, meaning you are not obligated to attend Stanford and still have until May 1st to make your final college decision.

The deadline for Stanford's Restrictive Early Action is usually November 1st, with admissions decisions being released in mid-December. Applying REA can potentially increase your chances of being accepted, as the acceptance rate is usually higher in the early round compared to regular decision. However, it's still important to note that Stanford is highly selective, and you should only apply REA if you feel strongly about Stanford and are confident in your application. Good luck!