<p>All the school websites read that Early Decision and Early Action really don't help your chances out in the application process (or are, at least, are not supposed to), but the numbers don't lie-- especially in the Ivy Leagues-- your chances of getting in increase anywhere from 35 to 100 percent if you apply ED or EA. If you have any information that says otherwise, please please please (I urge you!!) to post it below... the statement above is just a generalization I've gotten from some of my sources.</p>
<p>That's not the purpose of this thread.</p>
<p>Here is the question: When one is to apply regular decision, is turning the application in early going to increase one's chances or do their chances remain the same? Again, the websites say that all of the apps are given the same shot so long as they are sent in by the deadline, but it is no coincidence that many colleges urge their most interested applicants to turn their applications in by early December. </p>
<p>Are they doing a favor to interested students by urging them to turn in their apps early? Or is it a money-making scheme to take advantage of ambitious students to make sure that their application checks are in before ED/EA letters are sent out to those that have already been accepted? </p>
<p>Discuss.</p>
<p>the percentage is higher because it’s more competitive ED because those students who are certain that they will get in apply then</p>
<p>I agree with spectravoid on that point.</p>
<p>For turning in apps early I know that it is helpful to be encouraged to turn in it earlier so you do not miss the deadline, and so you are not stressing and finishing everything at the last minute. </p>
<p>As for the other parts, I have no idea and would love to hear what others think/know.</p>
<p>Well opinions are all over the map on this one. A lot of people argue that ED applicants are just more competitive. </p>
<p>I would say more than likely at MOST universities ED will give you an edge. Look up the book The Early Admissions Game: Joining the Elite ([Amazon.com:</a> The Early Admissions Game: Joining the Elite (9780674016200): Christopher Avery, Andrew Fairbanks, Richard Zeckhauser: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Early-Admissions-Game-Joining-Elite/dp/0674016203/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1249335369&sr=8-6]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Early-Admissions-Game-Joining-Elite/dp/0674016203/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1249335369&sr=8-6)). But here’s the reader’s digest version of it.</p>
<p>You may think that a college with say 1 000 open spots has 1 000 spots that YOU can take. Unfortunately, some are reserved for athletes, URMs, ED applicants, legacies, etc. But ED doesn’t necessarily have all these reserved spaces.</p>
<p>As to your question of whether sending in your RD application early makes a good impression. Of course it COULD. But I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that the person who opens the mail at the college you’re applying to and the person who makes the decision as to whether you’re admitted or not is a different person.</p>