Can I apply to both early action and early decision schools?

Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm considering applying to some schools early action and others early decision. Is it allowed to apply to both types of schools? How will this affect my chances of getting accepted? Thanks for any advice!

Hi there! It's great that you're already thinking about your college applications. Yes, you can apply to both early action (EA) and early decision (ED) schools.

Early action is non-binding, which means that if you're accepted, you're not obligated to attend that school. You can still apply to other colleges during the regular decision round and make your final decision by May 1st. Early decision, on the other hand, is a binding agreement. If you're accepted to an ED school, you must withdraw all other applications and commit to attending that school.

You can apply to multiple EA schools, but typically only one ED school. Applying early can sometimes increase your chances of acceptance, as colleges may have a higher acceptance rate for early applicants. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of early decision, as it's a binding agreement and may limit your ability to compare financial aid offers from other schools. Good luck with your applications and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!