<p>I was looking at statistics and I found that the acceptance rate for early action was almost always higher than the overall acceptance rate. What is the reason for this? Is the same true for early decision? </p>
<p>Generally, the early applicant pools are stronger and more competitive. These are kids who don’t need a semester to improve their GPA and who aren’t rushing to take the SAT. For ED, schools like being able to lock in a part of their class even though technically, you can break an ED agreement.</p>
<p>Wait, you can break ED? I thought it was binding.</p>
<p>It’s indeed binding.</p>
<p>The only reason to break an ED contract is if the financial aid package is not sufficient for you to attend. With the Net Price Calculators, this shouldn’t happen too often any more. If you do not apply for FA, you have no legitimate excuse to break your ED contract unless you have a major family crisis or something that changes your financial picture (although in that situation, it may be worth telling the school to see if they can improve your FA package. </p>
<p>Strongly recommend that ED students (1) run the net price calculator to start with to see if the school seems to be affordable. If not, don’t apply ED. (2) Keep working hard on all RD applications until you have seen your FA package. But you also have a responsibility to get your FA paperwork in by the dates requested for ED students so the college can return your FA package. Do NOT withdraw other applications or stop applying until you have seen an FA package from the ED college, even if you are accepted. (3) If the college does not get you an FA package and you did get your FA paperwork in on time, ask them for an extension on responding to their ED offer until you have seen the FA information. If you don’t have an FA package, submit RD applications. Yes, it costs something, but you don’t want to end up with insufficient FA at your ED school and no RD applications submitted.</p>