<p>I was always under the impression that a candidate could apply EA to one school (as long as it was a non-binding EA) at the same time as they applied ED to Brown. Apparently, I am wrong on this.</p>
<p>The Brown website says nothing about prohibiting EA applications. It only mentions not applying ED to more than one school. However, at the point where you actually designate ED on the Brown application, you must sign a statement that says this:</p>
<p>… “Early Decision is reserved for applicants who have not applied to any early program (Early Action or Early Decision).”</p>
<p>And also this:</p>
<p>…" I further understand that it is a violation of this Agreement for me to be an Early Decision or Early Action candidate at any other college or university."</p>
<p>We had spoken earlier with someone in the alum office who had mentioned that there might be a prohibition of this type. Yet, when we privately asked the spokesman actually giving the information session at Brown, he stated that not applying ED was a “strong preference” but not a “rule”. The wording on the application, however, sounds like a rule.</p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with this prohibition, the reason for it and such? Was anyone thinking of applying ED to Brown and nonbinding EA elsewhere? We have a call into the admissions office to get more information.</p>
<p>I'd like to know more info. on this topic too. I was thinking of applying ED to Brown and EA to Yale, but was told that was impossible since Yale's EA policy is Single-Choice, meaning you cannot apply anywhere elsewhere other than Yale, but it is non-binding. I would still like to apply EA somewhere in addition to Brown's ED, but is this allowable (as asked in the previous post)?</p>
<p>You apply ED to Brown and you can't apply anywhere else EA or ED. This is a preventative measure so kids like you don't screw with the system. If you get into Brown ED, you have to matriculate. Binding contract, you see.</p>
<p>sorry, amor is not on the money. Yes, if you get into brown ED, you go. However, I see no harm in applying non binding EA other places so that in the event of not getting in ED to brown you have improved your chances elsewhere. There is no "screwing with the system" because by applying binding ED to brown you have still made Brown your top choice since you are willing to go there above all other schools and are not bound elsewhere since you've only applied non-binding EA other places.</p>
<p>....." I further understand that it is a violation of this Agreement for me to be an Early Decision or Early Action candidate at any other college or university."</p>
<p>By my lights that is a rather definitive statement. If you apply ED to Brown, they don't want you doing EA or ED elsewhere. My understanding is Brown went to ED from EA because EA was being abused and they were deluged with strategic apps.</p>
<p>However, you could call the admissions office rep and talk to one of them to double check.</p>
<p>I think that EA, just like ED, should mean that the school is your first choice. Many kids who apply EA to EA schools would have applied ED if they could have done so, while other kids don't care about the school at all and are just applying EA to boost their chances. People who abuse the EA system are being unfair to the first type of students.</p>
<p>what about something like the "instant decision" path at Bard? Is that disallowed if you apply to Brown early? And what about rolling admissions as in UCONN or UMICH?</p>
<p>i agree with jksbond.... there's no reason why someone shouldn't be able to increase their chances at admission. If you get into Brown ED, then you're in. If not, you don't have to go through the whole process of writing more essays and applying other places (assuming you get into your other school of choice EA). For all those looking down upon the EA system, you are obviously not applying this year (or already have applied) because, given the competitive circumstances of applying to colleges, you should know how any opportunity to increase one's chances to go to a college of his/her choice is definitely appeciated.</p>
<p>Rolling admissions are fine... I don't think there's any case where rolling admissions come (or is it comes?) into conflict with EA/ED. Don't know about Bard, though.</p>
<p>"For all those looking down upon the EA system, you are obviously not applying this year (or already have applied) because, given the competitive circumstances of applying to colleges..." </p>
<p>Yes, but we applied last year or the year before. It was just as competitive then. </p>
<p>Besides, nobody's trashing EA.... Suppose (hypothetically, of course) you apply to Brown ED and Georgetown EA. Obviously, Brown would be your first choice (since you signed a binding contract) and Georgetown would be your second choice. Is that fair to the EA applicants who consider Georgetown their first choice? Not really.</p>
<p>I agree with bjrwrh in that early programs should be an expression of first choice, not a strategic endeavor. If Brown is your first choice, and you'd like to apply ED, you'll have to take a risk.</p>
<p>Ok so let's put all personal beliefs and theories aside and answer the initial question - is it allowed by Brown? It might not be the best or the right thing to do, but all that aside, again - does Brown allow you to apply ED to them and EA somewhere else? Thanks.</p>
<p>A return phone call from the admissions office clarified that Brown does not allow an ED applicant to apply to any other school on an "early" basis, whether early action or not. That would be a clear violation of their policy. </p>
<p>I understand why they have this preference and only wish it was more clearly explained at some point on the Brown website as well as in the application itself.</p>
<p>Definitely thinking too much, and definitely abusing the system.</p>
<p>Here's the skinny-- I didn't apply early anywhere (though I should have applied ED Brown, my guidance counselor steered me from that).</p>
<p>Unless you are 100% positive, don't bother. It's not about increasing your percentage. They take more students ED/EA because those aren't kids who feel they "may" get in, those are kids who want it, are agreeing to go 100% (ED, and still far greater matriculation rates, or at least, before kids like you, on EA), who are well qualified, etc. Most of the students who get into the ED/EA side of things were relative shoo-in types. If you're 100% sure Brown, you apply ED, and your back up is RD. You dont ahve to write more or different essays for the school,a nd you can even send in your applications all at the same time, just dont check off the ED/EA box and wait longer to get an answer.</p>
<p>Maybe your panties will get twisted like the rest of the world, my own included, waiting for the March 30th, or April 1st, or whatever they decide when your decisions arrive.</p>
<p>Whether Brown knows is not quite the whole issue. You would need info from your current HS and the counseling department should abide by the code and not want to compromise all Brown applicants. A signed pledge to abide is just that a pledge and perhaps you won't abide but the HS should.</p>