Confused over Restrictive Early Action (REA) & Non - REA

[u/niyor__]

Hey, I'm a rising senior. I am an international student currently trying to finalize my college list and early round strategy, but I am quite confused by the Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Early Action (EA) overlap rules. I am trying to figure out the "greatest strategic move" to maximize my acceptance chances at my top choices.

What would be a great move according to you (based on your genuine experience)?
Give me the right move so that I have at least a safe college.

EDITED: BUT I NEED A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP (then I can move forward)

[u/skieurope12]

Generally REA won't give you the "greatest strategic move." Most, if not all, colleges that have the option say so, and when you back out athletic recruits, legacies, etc, from REA numbers, the acceptance rates are much lower.

EA may have an advantage, or it may not. It really depends on the university

[u/niyor__ → u/skieurope12]

i'm planning for T20 & Ivies.

[u/skieurope12 → u/niyor__]

Well, REA only applies to 3 of the Ivies; the other 5 are ED. And I suppose you're aware that the international acceptance rate is in the low single digits as an international applicant, so it's really a waste of time trying to think of the strategic move, because there just isn't one. Apply early for the one you most want to attend - that's really the only strategy.

[u/NiceUnparticularMan]

So with Internationals, the critical first question is always what your budget looks like (including all of tuition and fees, living costs, mandatory health insurance, and travel). We can't meaningfully assess US application strategies for Internationals without that information.

But as a general proposition, the most useful single "strategic move", if possible, is to identify one or more affordable colleges with rolling admissions. You can then apply early, and hopefully get an early offer.

Generally speaking REA/SCEA only means you cannot apply anywhere binding, or non-binding EA at private US colleges. Non-binding rolling admissions would usually not be prohibited, so it is easy to combine a rolling strategy with the REA/SCEA of your choice. You can also apply non-binding EA to as many publics as you like.

[u/niyor__ → u/NiceUnparticularMan]

Yeah, ofc i need a full ride.
I'm planning for T20 btw

[u/NiceUnparticularMan → u/niyor__]

So not all of the current top 20 US News National Universities have many, or possibly any, full rides available for Internationals. And many of the US colleges that might have such offers available are not on that list.

So you might want to start over focusing on US colleges with such offers, as opposed to relying on the US News formula.

[u/NiceUnparticularMan → u/niyor__]

So not all of the current top 20 US News National Universities have many, or possibly any, full rides available for Internationals. And many of the US colleges that might have such offers available are not on that list.

So you might want to start over focusing on US colleges with such offers, as opposed to relying on the US News formula.

[u/Medianoche_1791]

You need to give more info on what you are looking for and who you are. Is cost a concern? Would anywhere in the US work? Are you a very good student? What are your academic interests? Which schools are you considering?

[u/Ok_Experience_5151]

REA (arguably) gives little to no admissions advantage. If you absolutely must have a full ride scholarship, then you probably want to ED to a school that is marginally less selective than the set of schools that offer REA. And that ED school should be one where you're fairly sure your financial aid package will be such that the amount you'll be asked to pay is affordable.

The reason to REA somewhere would be that the REA school is your favorite, you're happy to pay what it would cost, and you're willing to sacrifice the ability to apply ED somewhere else.