<p>Some colleges with ED plans do have specific rules about applying early to other colleges as an EA applicant.</p>
<p>Since Columbia doesn't, it appears that you have the ability to do so without any issues affecting your application. As I mentioned before, I think it is a bit "unfair" for students who are applying ED as well as numerous EA schools because of the impact on admissions decisions for other worthy applicants. Can you do it? That is up to you, as long as you fill out the forms in a timely manner, following all the rules of the applications.</p>
<p>You're allowed to apply to other schools EA if you're doing ED. They expect you to pull all applications if accepted ED, however, and immediately say no to all EA colleges that may have already accepted you. I don't see anything immoral about applying to a non-binding EA program while applying ED. ED's purpose is to guarantee an applicant will matriculate, and if the applicant does so upon acceptance, there's no harm in taking advantage of EA as a backup net.</p>
<p>i agree with glassesarechic, and think i'll apply EA to a few colleges. I dont think us EDers should feel guilty for applying EA to other colleges that we really like, just bc we also decided that to apply ED to inc our chances somewhere else. There's a good chance that I'm not going to get into Columbia, and if i don't i want to get into one of the other colleges that i think i will be equally if maybe not more happy at. They aren't just "extra colleges" but places that i could likely end up at and are very close seconds to Columbia.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What Early Decision Means to Your Admissions Chances</p>
<p>Does early decision improve your chances of being accepted? Applying early definitely shows a college that you are serious about wanting to attend, and colleges are looking for students who are enthusiastic about attending.</p>
<p>Not all colleges agree that applying early decision boosts students' chances. Instead, they attribute higher early admission rates to the fact that early applicants are better qualified as a group than regular applicants. Colleges are concerned about students applying early as a strategy to "get in." Colleges want students to apply early only if they are convinced the college is their first choice. They do not want students applying early because they believe it will increase their chances for admission, and they do not want students applying early who are not committed to attending if admitted.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you're allowed to apply EA, by all means do it. But I felt the language in the excerpt you/someone else posted, it seemed as though they grudgingly said you could apply EA. It was more like, "you can, but you shouldn't." Or at least that was the idea I got from reading it.</p>
<p>IMO: You apply ED because you want to show extreme interest in the school in hopes that will help your numbers. I don't get your excitement for Columbia. It doesn't seem as though you're pumped and want to go there at all costs. Maybe it's just the internet.. but don't just apply ED because it helps your chances, apply there because you want to go there (don't need the FA) and want to go there at all costs. I dunno, I just don't get the vibe from the OP.</p>
<p>Actually, I'm pretty crazy about going to Columbia. Seriously. I've had dreams about visiting before I did, cried when i realized the website lied and there was no information session on the one day i visited (i live in the midwest so its far),kept the blue book on my bed next to me, and have spent probably 200+ hours researching everything possible about the university online. So yeah, I really want to apply ED. It's just that recently, I've been researching other colleges so that if i don't get into Columbia, I won't be so miserable, and won't miss out on another good college.</p>
<p>do EA to Uchicago....why should you feel guilty? You obviously like the school and its your second choice, college is competitive. These moral implications about taking the spot from a worthy applicant are ridiculous, you only do this once in your life so do it right. If they want you, they will take you.</p>
<p>I know EA will boost the chance.
But I wonder if all students go for EA, how come do the chances increase ? or there are lots of students who don't mind about their future ? :P</p>
<p>A lot of students hear rumors about nonexistent downsides to EA that cause them not to fill out early action applications. It's nearly always an advantage, or at worst neutral, to apply early to your favorite college.</p>