Early Decision and other "hooks"

Parents Forum
1

<p>So, I've been reading online about the admissions boost about ed.</p>

<p>Some people say that the group is more competitive, and that's why the acceptances rates are higher.
Other says that colleges just want to protect their yield.</p>

<p>I read that ed has been statastically proven to be a 150+ increase in SAT points.
I also read somewhere that colleges only accept early decision applicants if they're an athelete, legacy, or can pay close to full pay.</p>

<p>So how "bad" is it if you're neither of those?
I am an hispanic female, 1st generation, and extremely low income (30k/yr).
Does my situation not help? Should I just not apply ed (assuming finances are not much of an issue, since I know I will qualify for a lot of aid)</p>

2

<p>Some of all of these issues are true at some schools, but there is no blanket answer for all schools. Being hispanic and first gen is usually a help at many (most?) schools, and ED helps at least a little at many schools, but perhaps only for above-average applicants for that school. But I’d say apply ED only if you have a dream school, because it’s a loooong time from November to September, plenty of time to change your mind about a school you weren’t in love with.</p>

3

<p>ED is probably not a good choice for you because of your high financial need.</p>

<p>Although you will certainly get a financial aid package, these can vary dramatically from one school to another. If you apply RD, you can compare financial aid packages as part of your decision making. If you apply ED, you’re stuck with what you get from a single school – which might not have been the one with the best package.</p>

4

<p>^ Good point, and if you do find that dream school, apply ED to it only if it meets full need.</p>

<p>There are usually more reasons to apply RD than ED.</p>

5

<p>All of the things you say about ED can be true–at different schools.</p>

<p>If your dream school is one with extremely generous FA that <em>really</em> meets full need with no or minimal loans, by all means apply ED. One of the categories of applicant that MAY benefit from ED at some schools is high-statted URMs. But that means <em>truly</em> high-statted at the kind of school that offers the kind of FA you need.</p>