what is rea

REA stands for Restricted Early Action, which is a type of non-binding early application plan with deadlines typically in November. It is similar to Early Action, but with added restrictions. For example, students who apply REA are not allowed to apply to another universitys early application program. REA is offered by a handful of highly selective colleges, such as Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Georgetown, and the University of Notre Dame. Students who apply REA can receive admissions decisions earlier than regular admission. However, if accepted, they are not obligated to attend the institution.