Directory

The Restrictive Admissions Playbook

A premium index of SCEA and REA mandates. Master the complex rules of elite early rounds with instant data on deadlines, selectivity, and Ivy League compatibility

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7

of 28 SCEA/REA schools

Curated for policy clarity: browse cards for deadline, acceptance, and Ivy indicators.
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California Institute of Technology logoREA

REA

California Institute of Technology

Caltech is an elite science and engineering institute. For the Fall 2026 cycle, Caltech has reinstated its standardized testing requirement. Caltech REA is one of the most restrictive policies in the US. It bars all other early applications (Public or Private) unless for scholarship or international reasons.

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1530-1580

Avg ACT

35-36

SCEA Admit

6.5%

Acceptance

3%

Status

TBC

Application plan
REA

Caltech REA is uniquely restrictive, blocking even most public Early Action apps.

Under REA, students may not apply to any other Early Action or Early Decision programs at any other institution, except for non-US schools or scholarship requirements.

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Georgetown University logoEA

EA

Georgetown University

Georgetown is a leading research university in D.C. It offers a non-binding Early Action program and does not restrict other EA applications.Georgetown Early Action is unique: it is restrictive against ED, but not EA.

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1440-1540

Avg ACT

32-35

SCEA Admit

10%

Acceptance

12%

Status

TBC

Application plan
EA

Georgetown EA forbids applying to binding Early Decision (ED) programs elsewhere. You can apply to as many other non-binding Early Action (EA) programs as you like—including those at other private universities (like MIT, UChicago, or even Notre Dame).

You may apply to other EA programs (public or private), but you may not apply to a binding Early Decision plan.

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Harvard University logoREA

REA

Harvard University

Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the US. For the Class of 2030, Harvard requires standardized test scores. Its Restrictive Early Action (REA) program is non-binding but prohibits applying to other private early programs in the US.

Ivy League

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1500-1580

Avg ACT

34-36

SCEA Admit

8.7%

Acceptance

3.4%

Status

TBC

Application plan
REA

Harvard REA forbids applying to other private early programs (EA or ED) in the US.

You may not apply to any other private US college for Early Action or Early Decision.

See Details
University of Notre Dame logoREA

REA

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame is a premier Catholic research university. Notre Dame REA is non-binding and notably allows applicants to apply to other private Early Action programs, unlike the Ivy League restrictive plans.

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1450-1530

Avg ACT

33-35

SCEA Admit

15%

Acceptance

11.9%

Status

TBC

Application plan
REA

Notre Dame REA only forbids applying to binding Early Decision (ED) programs elsewhere.

You may apply to other Early Action programs (private or public), but not to any binding Early Decision program.

See Details
Princeton University logoSCEA

SCEA

Princeton University

Princeton is an Ivy League research university. For the current cycle, Princeton remains test-optional. Its Single-Choice Early Action policy restricts other private early applications to ensure it remains a student's top choice.

Ivy League

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1500-1580

Avg ACT

33-35

SCEA Admit

11%

Acceptance

4%

Status

TBC

Application plan
SCEA

Princeton SCEA prohibits applying to other private early programs in the US.

You may not apply to an early program at any other private college or university in the US, but are permitted to apply to public institutions or international schools.

See Details
Stanford University logoREA

REA

Stanford University

Stanford has reinstated its standardized testing requirement for the Class of 2030. Its REA policy is one of the strictest regarding other private applications.

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1500-1570

Avg ACT

33-35

SCEA Admit

8%

Acceptance

3.9%

Status

TBC

Application plan
REA

Stanford REA blocks all other private early programs (EA/ED).

You may not apply to any other private institution in the US under any early plan (EA, REA, ED).

See Details
Yale University logoSCEA

SCEA

Yale University

Yale has moved to a 'test-required' policy for the Class of 2029. Yale's Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) policy remains the primary early pathway.

Ivy League

Deadline

—

Avg SAT

1500-1580

Avg ACT

33-35

SCEA Admit

9%

Acceptance

3.7%

Status

TBC

Application plan
SCEA

Yale SCEA forbids applying to other private early programs in the US.

Applicants may not apply for Early Action or Early Decision at any other private college in the US.

See Details