<p>I am not so sure you have to pull out of EA to go interim decision with Rice. This is a gray area as interim decision is not ED, EA, not binding. You need to read the EA rules very carefully to see if it includes interim type plans for its exclusions. I do know that Rice permits other applications when you apply interim so the only potential problem I can see would be with the other school. </p>
<p>With all of these early programs popping up, it is becoming more and more complicated figuring out the permitted combos. As far as I can see, the taboos that are strictly enforced are the ED agreements. Colleges that offer binding ED as an option often circulate their acceptances through ED so that if you have not withdrawn your app from other schools, they can drop you upon seeing your name on that list. Also they can notify the ED school that you have not withdrawn your app. So there is a real potential consequence for not adhering to the ED rules. I do not know if the same occurs with single choice EA--I know it does not for regular EA. It has become increasingly burdensome to read to the combo rules EA/ED for each college as they come up with hybrid plans. Do check the rules on EA for your college of choice. You may be ok.</p>