<p>On the Common App, I selected one private school for Early Action (we’ll call it College A). This was a strategic decision, as I am more confident in my applications at the other private colleges and College A has a restrictive Early Action plan and is one of my top two choices. However, when I was talking to a counselor from my other top private school (College B), she told me that I could switch my application, which I have submitted in RD, to EA. I am quite confident that I will get into College B, about 90%, but I would still like to apply EA if possible.</p>
<p>Would College A find out if my application was switched to Early Action at College B? Would it even be worth doing even if the risk of College A finding out is relatively low? The primary benefit would be having most my admissions packages back before the new year.</p>
<p>One of my friends applied to both MIT and Alcorn State University. ACCORDING TO HIM, MIT rejected him because he was also rejected at Alcorn, which was supposed to be his safety school.</p>
<p>Just kidding. </p>
<p>They won’t find out, and if they do ask, it’s for statistical purposes. It will have NO factor in your review whatsoever. </p>
<p>If College A has Restrictive Early Action, you’ve asked the wrong question. The questions you should have asked are: Has College A ever rescinded an admittance, told a student to withdraw, or revoked a diploma based on misstatements on his/her application? The answer is yes to all three. That really is all you need to know. Don’t take the risk.</p>
<p>@AnEpicIndian is incorrect, this can get you rescinded or get your degree revoke as @skieurope said. Don’t do it. Im baffled that College B told you that it was ok. Did you tell them the other school was Restrictive? Im sure their answer would have been different had they known. Not all reps can keep up with, or care, about what decision plans other schools offer.</p>
<p>College A will not be notified by any Common App mechanism that you have switched from RD to EA at another school, so other than by some coincidental actions, ( and in life there are some incredible such connections), it is unlikely they will know. However, it is the responsibility of your Guidance Counselor to be poilcing this sort of thing. When you get your EA acceptances, that’s when some risks of someone finding out what you have done will start to happen. You have no idea what things a school send out after acceptance, or if your GC will have reason to talk to a college admissions office. Lies often have very short legs. Skieurope has listed some questions that I agree are valid in your case. Why start your adulthood out with lies and dishonesty. </p>
<p>I know of a difficult case where a student did mix up some SC EA rules, and it was an issue. I don’t know the exact outcome but the counselor did report the transgression to the schools involved. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone, you’ve convinced me that this would me really quite a bad idea.
@guineagirl96 When she said this, I don’t think she really knew they were restrictive. That explains why I was confused that she I could do it.
@cptofthehouse I hadn’t even thought of what my guidance counselor would say, thanks.</p>
<p>Correct me if I’m wrong, but under REA, you cannot apply to another school’s binding ED plan, but you are free to apply to any other non-binding EA program. The only context under which you would encounter a problem is if the EA school you originally applied to is single choice. The three schools that come to mind as being REA are ND, BC, and Georgetown. I know plenty of people who have applied early to all three and been admitted to all three. </p>
That is incorrect. You are free to apply to non-binding EA public universities, non-binding rolling admissions universities, and foreign universities; You cannot also apply to non-binding EA private universities (e.g. MIT, UChicago).</p>
<p>We are prepared to make a special effort to inform students early without requiring a binding commitment to Notre Dame. However, students applying to Notre Dame’s Early Action program may not submit an application to another college’s binding Early Decision program (both ED1 and ED2) that would prevent them from choosing Notre Dame if admitted. Students may apply to other non-binding Early Action programs. - From ND’s website.</p>
<p>In keeping with this principle, students applying under the Early Action program may not apply to any binding Early Decision programs since they then would not be free to choose Georgetown if admitted. Students are welcome to apply to other Early Action programs or other Regular Decision programs while at the same time applying to Georgetown’s Early Action program. -From Georgetown’s website.</p>
<p>I believe if you apply ED the only loophole to not applying elsewhere is if you are applying to public and/or rolling admission schools. </p>