<p>Guys, what's best: applying EA or RD? I once read it's better to wait because most schools have limited funds but, for example, applying EA and RD to Yale in terms of financial aid would be the same, wouldn't it?</p>
<p>I think it is very dependent on each school. ALWAYS get your apps in as soon as possible, that is always a good thing (even though it may not change anything).</p>
<p>I ED’d and got the same finaid that the NPC stated; that was gwu. Little different than EA though. It might give you a little more time to appeal for more finaid too.</p>
<p>EA would be just like RD for aid. You have until May 1 to commit. Many special scholarships have early application dates, and at Rolling Admission schools the money can run out, so it is a good idea to get your applications in as quickly as you can.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, it looks like I’ll apply to Yale EA!</p>
<p>EA and RD are about the same for FA, given that you apply early enough before the school runs out of FA resources. ED on the other hand is often worse for FA because if you’re accepted you’re locked to whatever FA package they give you (since the decision is binding). For that reason people that apply ED generally come from wealthier families.</p>
<p>Collegestu816, I’d be interested in any examples you have of an ED FA offer being worse than EA or RD.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad, I don;t see how anyone can give such examples since you only get one shot at it. Since the schools’ coffers are as full as they are going to be that admissions season when the ED estimates for aid are to be given out, and because schools want 100% acceptance on ED, they will tend to give ED students “A” level aid packages. They want to be done with this batch of students and focus at the upcoming job at hand–the RD applicants. </p>
<p>Where it can hurt applying ED is with those merit awards that admissions gives out to “buy” the students they want or need. THat is the whole purpose of those merit awards often given at the end of the year with the RD offers. UMiami, Emory have some nice ones there. Because those awards are to lure students, why should they give them to ED students? ANd some of those awards are very nice, better than a lot of financial aid packages. But ED students at that point in time are old business. Signed, and accepted. It’s rare they will get such awards. </p>
<p>As for financial aid, it seems to me that they are process all together, EA and RD accepted students and I don’t know if the fin aid office would even know if which ones are which. Unless there is a uniform grading system giving some EA candidates a leg up in admissions scores thereby ensuring them the better aid packages, they are all processed about the same time, I would think. The same with merit awards.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Yale’s early action is singe choice early action. This means that this is the only school that you will be able to apply to early.</p>
<p>Yes, that’s why I only mentioned Yale :)</p>
<p>For Y, FA will be the same EA or RD or transfer or turning your paperwork in late even (I’ve done it ;)). </p>
<p>The problem with Y is being accepted, if you are considering EA, you should read this carefully:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/1348512-i-dont-know-whether-apply-ea-rd.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/1348512-i-dont-know-whether-apply-ea-rd.html</a></p>
<p>Y only accepts exceptional applicants in the EA round, ones that are likely to be accepted by other highly selective colleges RD if they choose to apply. This gives them extra time to woo these students into matriculating at Y.</p>
<p>Other competitive candidates are deferred to the RD round and are compared within the larger pool. There is absolutely no advantage or reason for Y to accept a good but not outstanding student EA.</p>
<p>Cpt, that’s what I was thinking about the FA. I do like your points about the merit aid. Had not considered those but they make a great deal of sense.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I may be an outlier, but I received my colleges largest merit award and I applied ED. I also know a few other EDs that received merit award. Though this is probably uncommon. Also, all the merit aid did was decrease my need-aid, so it didn’t make a difference but boost my ego and make me feel wanted :P</p>
<p>The OP to this thread is an international student who really needs significant financial aid. He should NOT apply Early DECISION because he will lose all ability to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools.</p>
<p>wmurphey, I would not say you are an outlier. It does happen. It all depends on how a college’s financial aid and admissions offices coordinate. Also some merit aid is made up of endowed scholarships that a college has to find a person who best fits the criteiron. I am not saying that applying ED means no merit aid. I’m saying that it CAN happen that way. Merit money usually is distributed by the admissions office and financial aid is given by the financial aid office, and sometimes they are totally separate, sometimes they are the same, and every variation in between.</p>