Which of the top 25 schools and Ivies are the most strategically best to apply to for early decision?
The only “best” place to apply early decision is the school that is far and away your first choice after you have carefully considered it, visited and absolutely know it’s your choice. Early decision is binding, so you must be sure.
(As for places that are “best” for Early Action…I’ll leave it to someone else to try and answer that.)
Please look up the definition of Early Decision. If you have to ask a question like the one you posted, you are definitely NOT a candidate for ED.
…I understand that early decision is for your first choice, but I would be honestly happy at most top schools, barring a few (Dartmouth). However, I would like to go to a top school and would like to know how to maximize my chance, and not a local state university. @SlackerMomMD @ClaremontMom
This is a difficult question, but Northwestern comes to my mind. There ED rate is 36%, and they have a 13% overall acceptance rate, so ED helps a lot.
This is a terrible strategy. You need to think more deeply about what you want from college (besides a ranking on someone’s list) and research which colleges will be a good fit.
This is akin to pulling out your yearbook, citing the 25 cutest girls and asking around: “Who should I ask out? I’m looking for the one who will most likely say she’ll be my girlfriend for the 4 years.”
Agree with everyone but stern. Please do not apply ED just because of the admit rate. You’ll be unhappy for the next 4 years but the likelihood is that , no, you won’t be happy at all schools in the top 25. Also if this is your strategy you probably won’t be admitted anywhere ED. Admission officers can smell someone who isn’t passionate about a school before they even send in their application.
@snarlatron I all ready know which schools from top 25 I really like, and why, it’s 3-5 of them. I just am curious to see if one of those selected schools pop where early decision is a key and significant advantage, if not then I’ll find petty things to decide where to ED.
@Gatortristan I believe it is naive that AOs are some magical wizards that have a keen sense to sniff out those not infatuated with the sacred ivory towers they guard. I am sure there are instances where they detect it, but I find it very hard to believe in that statement, especially when you are speaking about your “love” on paper.
Going with @T26E4 brilliant analogy, which of the top 25 schools are the “cutest” aka best campus?