<p>Hi everyone! So I'm considering doing my early decision on Cornell and early decision II on Carnegie Mellon University. The problem is that cmu's ED 2 deadline is December 1, which is before the day Cornell announce their early decision result. In other words, I will not be able to know if I got in to Cornell or not by the time I submit my ED 2 app. So if I got accepted to Cornell, can I withdraw my ED2 application from cmu? I know I have to withdraw all other applications after being accepted to my ED college, but this one is also an ED so I'm not so sure. Does anyone know how this works? Thank youuu :)))</p>
<p>The ED II round is designed specifically for the purpose you have described. If you get into your ED I institution, and the aid that you are offered makes that place affordable, you will accept the ED I admission, and you will contact the ED II institution along with anywhere else that you have applied, and withdraw all of those applications.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to think this strategy through carefully. If you are applying ED to Cornell because it is clearly your first choice, you may not want to apply EDII to CMU if you are deferred. You would still be in the running for your first choice (and perhaps have a better chance due to the fact that your ED commitment). I don’t know CMU’s policy, but it might be detrimental to your application or even impossible to change your EDII application to RD after it has been submitted.</p>
<p>However, you might be someone who is applying ED to Cornell (and EDII to CMU) simply to improve your perceived chances of admission. Be sure you are not basing your decisions simply on selectivity or prestige.</p>
<p>ED is an awkward tool that may or may not help an applicant’s chances in admissions. However, it clearly offers advantages to colleges (higher yield, removes FA negotiations, forces applicants to commit early, etc.). Don’t get sucked into playing their game on their terms.</p>