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Lists / Best Colleges to Apply Early Action in 2021

Best Colleges to Apply Early Action in 2021

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Created by College Confidential

Does applying early action really give you a better shot at getting into a top college? If you're applying to one of these 15 schools, EA could give you a real advantage in the admissions process. Unlike early decision, early action isn't binding, so applying EA can boost your chances without the pressure of committing to a school now. Keep reading to see 15 selective colleges that admit a much higher percentage of early action applicants than those that submit their applications for the regular admissions deadline in the Spring. Click the heart to save schools you're interested in, and visit the school profile to see their early action deadline and notification date.

1. The Ohio State University

  • The Ohio State University
    Columbus, OH 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate53%
  • Ohio State Early Action Acceptance Rate: 79% Overall Acceptance Rate: 54% EA Advantage: 25%

    2. Hampden-Sydney College

  • Hampden-Sydney College
    Hampden-Sydney, VA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate37%
  • Hampden-Sydney Early Action Acceptance Rate: 70% Overall Acceptance Rate: 47% EA Advantage: 23%

    3. Union College

  • Union College
    Schenectady, NY 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate47%
  • Union Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 41% EA Advantage: 21%

    4. Santa Clara University

  • Santa Clara University
    Santa Clara, CA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate52%
  • Santa Clara Early Action Acceptance Rate: 71% Overall Acceptance Rate: 51% EA Advantage: 20%

    5. The University of the South

  • The University of the South
    Sewanee, TN 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate52%
  • Sewanee Early Action Acceptance Rate: 76% Overall Acceptance Rate: 56% EA Advantage: 20%

    6. Spelman College

  • Spelman College
    Atlanta, GA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate28%
  • Early Action Acceptance Rate: 70% Overall Acceptance Rate: 53% EA Advantage: 17%

    7. Binghamton University, State University of New York

  • Binghamton University, State University of New York
    Binghamton, NY 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate44%
  • SUNY Binghamton Early Action Acceptance Rate: Overall Acceptance Rate: EA Advantage: 60.03 43.03 17

    8. Howard University

  • Howard University
    Washington, DC 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate35%
  • Howard Early Action Acceptance Rate: 55% Overall Acceptance Rate: 39% EA Advantage: 16%

    9. Texas Christian University

  • Texas Christian University
    Fort Worth, TX 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate56%
  • TCU Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 47% EA Advantage 15%

    10. Southwestern University

  • Southwestern University
    Georgetown, TX 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate45%
  • Southwestern Early Action Acceptance Rate: 64% Overall Acceptance Rate: 49% EA Advantage: 15%

    11. Loyola Marymount University

  • Loyola Marymount University
    Los Angeles, CA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate41%
  • Loyola Marymount Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 50% EA Advantage: 12%

    12. University of Georgia

  • University of Georgia
    Athens, GA 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate43%
  • UGA Early Action Acceptance Rate: 60% Overall Acceptance Rate: 48% EA Advantage: 12%

    13. Harvard University

  • Harvard University
    Cambridge, MA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate3%
  • Harvard Early Action Acceptance Rate: 14% Overall Acceptance Rate: 5% EA Advantage: 9%

    14. Princeton University

  • Princeton University
    Princeton, NJ 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate6%
  • Princeton Early Action Acceptance Rate: 15% Overall Acceptance Rate: 6% EA Advantage: 9%

    15. University of Maryland, College Park

  • University of Maryland, College Park
    College Park, MD 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate44%
  • Early Action Acceptance Rate: 60% Overall Acceptance Rate: 51% EA Advantage: 9%

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