Applying through the National College Match requires a serious commitment. Ranking colleges through the National College Match means that you are entering an agreement with the college that if you are matched (i.e. admitted with a full scholarship), you are committed to attending that college and you must withdraw any other college applications (except students who are matched to MIT).
National College Match applicants who rank colleges cannot apply to other colleges through Early Decision, Early Action, or Single-Choice Early Action (also known as Restrictive Early Action). Even if you rank MIT, which is not binding, you cannot apply early to other colleges.
National College Match applicants who do not rank colleges, or who are not selected as Finalists, are free to apply to any colleges for Early or Regular Decision.