<p>Just looking for some opinions... With junior year ending, I'm thinking more and more about college applications. Should I apply ED to a reach (Ivy League) and try my luck, or go EA at multiple safety/match schools so I can have some sense of security early on? </p>
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You can get out of an ED contract for financial reasons, but you probably shouldn’t apply ED anywhere unless you definitely want to go to that school specifically and you’re sure you’ll be able to pay for it. I applied EA at a lot of different places, and I think it was a good strategy because I was able to figure stuff out earlier than everyone else. Some “reach” schools also have non-binding EA and not ED (off the top of my head, there’s the University of Chicago). </p>
<p>@halcyonheather there is one school that I am certain I would go to if I got in, and I really love it, but I don’t want to lose an opportunity at other EA schools by using ED on a school where my chances are very slim</p>
<p>Not all EDs are restrictive when it comes to putting in EA applications, read the information carefully. Some schools have some variations in the rules. And some are only restrictive on other private schools (so you can apply to public schools early). If you plan to apply ED, think about the following:
- You have to attend if you get in. So if you aren’t CERTAIN, don’t do it.
- You will have no opportunity to compare financial aid packages. If you are applying for need based aid, ED isn’t the best way to go. You can’t compare offers, or use an offer from one school to ask for a better offer from another. Because you only get one FA package to look at.
- You should still get all your other applications ready to go after the ED application is in. Even if you get an ED acceptance, until you see the FA package you don’t know if you can swing it – so don’t leave yourself in a bad spot with no other applications ready to submit.
- Some schools that offer merit money have early deadlines for their RD applications. Don’t miss those deadlines because you are too focused on your RD school.</p>
<p>Work with your parents to run the Net Price Calculator on the schools you are interested in. Be sure your parents know what the likely cost is before you apply ED (or anyplace else). Most parents are shocked at what they are expected to pay.</p>
<p>I recommend applying EA (or ED if you’re financially set and love a school) to as many schools as you can (obviously you can only ED one school). It spaces out the applications you have to do and it lets you know much earlier, which is a pretty big benefit. When I was applying RD to schools this year, it was nice to have acceptances to great schools like UVa and Michigan in my back pocket. </p>