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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
Photo: Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

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

Ohio State Early Action Acceptance Rate: 79% Overall Acceptance Rate: 54% EA Advantage: 25%

  • The Ohio State University
    Columbus, OH 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate57%
  • 2. Hampden-Sydney College

    Hampden-Sydney Early Action Acceptance Rate: 70% Overall Acceptance Rate: 47% EA Advantage: 23%

  • Hampden-Sydney College
    Hampden-Sydney, VA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate37%
  • 3. Union College

    Union Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 41% EA Advantage: 21%

  • Union College
    Schenectady, NY 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate47%
  • 4. Santa Clara University

    Santa Clara Early Action Acceptance Rate: 71% Overall Acceptance Rate: 51% EA Advantage: 20%

  • Santa Clara University
    Santa Clara, CA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate54%
  • 5. The University of the South

    Sewanee Early Action Acceptance Rate: 76% Overall Acceptance Rate: 56% EA Advantage: 20%

  • The University of the South
    Sewanee, TN 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate60%
  • 6. Spelman College

    Early Action Acceptance Rate: 70% Overall Acceptance Rate: 53% EA Advantage: 17%

  • Spelman College
    Atlanta, GA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate51%
  • 7. Binghamton University, State University of New York

    SUNY Binghamton Early Action Acceptance Rate: Overall Acceptance Rate: EA Advantage: 60.03 43.03 17

  • Binghamton University, State University of New York
    Binghamton, NY 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate44%
  • 8. Howard University

    Howard Early Action Acceptance Rate: 55% Overall Acceptance Rate: 39% EA Advantage: 16%

  • Howard University
    Washington, DC 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate35%
  • 9. Texas Christian University

    TCU Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 47% EA Advantage 15%

  • Texas Christian University
    Fort Worth, TX 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate54%
  • 10. Southwestern University

    Southwestern Early Action Acceptance Rate: 64% Overall Acceptance Rate: 49% EA Advantage: 15%

  • Southwestern University
    Georgetown, TX 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate51%
  • 11. Loyola Marymount University

    Loyola Marymount Early Action Acceptance Rate: 62% Overall Acceptance Rate: 50% EA Advantage: 12%

  • Loyola Marymount University
    Los Angeles, CA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate46%
  • 12. University of Georgia

    UGA Early Action Acceptance Rate: 60% Overall Acceptance Rate: 48% EA Advantage: 12%

  • University of Georgia
    Athens, GA 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance Rate40%
  • 13. Harvard University

    Harvard Early Action Acceptance Rate: 14% Overall Acceptance Rate: 5% EA Advantage: 9%

  • Harvard University
    Cambridge, MA 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate5%
  • 14. Princeton University

    Princeton Early Action Acceptance Rate: 15% Overall Acceptance Rate: 6% EA Advantage: 9%

  • Princeton University
    Princeton, NJ 4-Year, Private
    Acceptance Rate4%
  • 15. University of Maryland, College Park

    Early Action Acceptance Rate: 60% Overall Acceptance Rate: 51% EA Advantage: 9%

  • University of Maryland, College Park
    College Park, MD 4-Year, Public
    Acceptance RateN.A.
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