<p>I also don’t see the point of ED II – given that the kid is still going to have to apply to at least one or two safeties in the RD round – why not just apply to several schools RD? That will keep the options open in the event a deferral from the first school turns into an acceptance.</p>
<p>The point of ED II is the same as ED I: The college gets a guaranteed enrollment if it accepts the student, the student gets a boost in the admissions process because of that. Most colleges with ED II are not the ones with admissions percentages in the single digits or teens. They don’t necessarily demand perfection of their applicants, and they are willing to take risks, but it’s much easier to take a risk if they know the student they take a risk on has them as his first choice (now, at least) and will show up if they accept him.</p>
<p>Great answer, JHS.</p>
<p>One suggestion: if the student is deferred in ED1, and then applies ED2 somewhere else and is accepted, he or she should withdraw that first application immediately (which you’re supposed to do anyway). I think it would be better to never find out.</p>
<p>It is clear to me that colleges offering ED II admissions give their ED applicants a boost over their RD applicants; otherwise there is no point in completing your RD and your ED II apps at the same time, and locking yourself to a binding admission and financial aid decision to just one school. At least ED I gives you a decision before the RD apps are due. </p>
<p>Colleges want to see more – as in something better – from their deferred applicants in the RD round. The chance of a deferred applicant is very slim if s/he only submits more-of-the-same additional material. I would encourage the OP’s D to forgo ED II and stick with her first school if she has something better to show in the RD round; otherwise, go for the ED II. </p>
<p>S1 was EA deferred then RD accepted to his current school. I have no doubt this happened because he turned in another research paper that won him a significant award.</p>
<p>^excellent point Paperchaser – I will relay to D</p>
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<p>I COMPLETELY see the point of ED II. Who wants to hang around til April / May to figure out where they are going to school? If you have a clear second choice that you’d be delighted to be at, and your ED I doesn’t pan out, why wouldn’t you pledge your love there and be done with the whole thing?</p>
<p>My kids are doing all their RD applications (including the schools that I suspect they will “convert” to ED II if the ED I doesn’t pan out). I see no reason whatsoever they shouldn’t ED II (of course, they may have a change of heart and decide to ride out a deferral from their ED I if that happens, but I wouldn’t actively encourage it, since I think a deferral is just a polite no). Makes complete and perfect sense.</p>
<p>I’m with Pizzagirl on this one. Move on after ED. You tell 'em you love 'em and they hesitate to recip. - to heck with 'em.</p>
<p>Lots of questions…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Timing: Do you have to wait to hear from ED1 before applying ED2 at another school? There is only a couple of weeks left in December to do this. Or do people usually convert a RD app into an ED2 (if ED1 does not work out)? How is this done (phone call, new application, sign an ED contract)?</p></li>
<li><p>Benefit of ED over RD: Is the ED2 boost as great as the ED1 boost? Is there any data to show that ED2 increases chances over RD?</p></li>
<li><p>Does ED mean no ealry action applications?</p></li>
<li><p>In terms of strategy, if you have a handful of schools that you would like to attend (and $$ was not a major issue) would you be better off using ED1 for your reachest school or to secure a spot at a good match? I can see kids applying D1 to Ivies/Top 10 schools and still not having a chance…thus wasting the ED1 card.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Any insights?</p>
<p>On timing - yes - you have to wait to hear from the ED school first - before applying ED II - you cannot have 2 ED apps out there simultaneously. This would not preclude you, however, from applying RD to a school that does offer ED II - and then converting the RD to ED II if the initial ED application becomes a denial or a defer.</p>
<p>To convert - I would complete the ED agreement and send to the admissions office. If it is a small enough school where you know who the regional rep is for your area - I would e-mail that person that you have decided to apply ED II and send the form to that person’s attention. Otherwise - mail form to admissions and follow up to make sure they have it and that your application status has changed.</p>
<p>You can still do as many EA or rolling apps as you want - but watch out for schools like Boston College that have restrictive early action and do not permit you to apply EA and also apply to another school ED.</p>
<p>Your question about what level of school to play the ED card is really a matter of opinion. It would seem unnecessary to me to apply ED to a school that you are a match for and would probably get in RD - why narrow your choices in this manner? It seems to me that you use ED for a school you love and where it will give you an admissions boost. Look at the CDS for the school to see the difference between RD acceptance rate and ED acceptance rate - but keep in mind - the ED acceptance rate can be overstated as it will include recruited athletes, and other hooked applicants.</p>