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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

  • 1st
    The Ohio State University
    Columbus, OH • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $12,485
    Out-of-State
    $36,722
    Acceptance Rate53%

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

    2. Hampden-Sydney College

  • 2nd
    Hampden-Sydney College
    Hampden-Sydney, VA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $50,740
    Out-of-State
    $50,740
    Acceptance Rate37%

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

    3. Union College

  • 3rd
    Union College
    Schenectady, NY • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $66,456
    Out-of-State
    $66,456
    Acceptance Rate47%

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

    4. Santa Clara University

  • 4th
    Santa Clara University
    Santa Clara, CA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $59,241
    Out-of-State
    $59,241
    Acceptance Rate52%

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

    5. The University of the South

  • 5th
    The University of the South
    Sewanee, TN • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $53,704
    Out-of-State
    $53,704
    Acceptance Rate52%

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

    6. Spelman College

  • 6th
    Spelman College
    Atlanta, GA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $28,885
    Out-of-State
    $28,885
    Acceptance Rate28%

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

    7. Binghamton University, State University of New York

  • 7th
    Binghamton University, State University of New York
    Binghamton, NY • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $10,363
    Out-of-State
    $28,203
    Acceptance Rate44%

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

    8. Howard University

  • 8th
    Howard University
    Washington, DC • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $33,344
    Out-of-State
    $33,344
    Acceptance Rate35%

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

    9. Texas Christian University

  • 9th
    Texas Christian University
    Fort Worth, TX • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $57,220
    Out-of-State
    $57,220
    Acceptance Rate56%

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

    10. Southwestern University

  • 10th
    Southwestern University
    Georgetown, TX • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $50,558
    Out-of-State
    $50,558
    Acceptance Rate45%

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

    11. Loyola Marymount University

  • 11th
    Loyola Marymount University
    Los Angeles, CA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $58,489
    Out-of-State
    $58,489
    Acceptance Rate41%

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

    12. University of Georgia

  • 12th
    University of Georgia
    Athens, GA • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $11,180
    Out-of-State
    $30,220
    Acceptance Rate43%

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

    13. Harvard University

  • 13th
    Harvard University
    Cambridge, MA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $59,076
    Out-of-State
    $59,076
    Acceptance Rate3%

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

    14. Princeton University

  • 14th
    Princeton University
    Princeton, NJ • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $59,710
    Out-of-State
    $59,710
    Acceptance Rate6%

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

    15. University of Maryland, College Park

  • 15th
    University of Maryland, College Park
    College Park, MD • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $11,233
    Out-of-State
    $39,469
    Acceptance Rate44%

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

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