<p>I am in a bit of a dilemma. I am currently a junior at Michigan. Have an okay GPA (~3.8). Will be taking MCAT in April and hoping to get somewhere between 32 and 36. Want to apply in June and debating whether to go early decision or regular decision. My first choice would be Michigan. From what I understand, ED application will restrict me from applying RD until ED decision comes out. That means I will have very little time to apply to other schools of ED doesnt come through. Now I am thinking of applying early, but RD. Appreciate your feedback.</p>
<p>I think the general consensus is that unless you have a significant reason to apply early (like a spouse/family who live & work in a certain geographic locale and cannot relocate; a spouse who already attends the same med school you’re applying to), you shouldn’t do do ED for all the reasons you have already listed.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reponse. Well… I live within 20 mins from U of Michigan. :)</p>
<p>ED is used only for situations where (1) you probably wouldn’t get in without it; (2) you almost certainly will get in with it; (3) you really really really want to go to a particular school.</p>
<p>(1) and (2) are ordinarily mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>The exception is if you’re in trouble (#1) because your stats are way too high for a school (#2), but you really want to go there because you have a fiancee there (#3) or something like that.</p>
<p>Following is (was) my logic.</p>
<ol>
<li>UofM med school is highly ranked and getting in is not easy. I thought ED will enhance my chances.</li>
<li>Since it is in-state, I will be much cheaper for me.</li>
<li>My parents live 20 mins away and I can have my mom’s home cooked food whenever I wish to to drop by. :)</li>
</ol>
<p>But, since it would unnecessarily restrict my application process, I would go RD. Thanks.</p>
<p>AMD–I’m a senior (headed to med school next year!) and last year was in much the same position you’re in now (3.8/3something expected MCAT, considering early decision to my in-state school). I went the route you’re planning (applied as early as possible for regular decision) and have been thrilled with the results. </p>
<p>While it would have been nice to know in October, by applying early I was accepted in December anyway. Had I waited until October to send out my applications to the rest of my schools, I am quite confident I would not have been invited to 2 of the interviews I received (was complete at those 2 schools in early September) and would be a lot more stressed out now. If any of the schools you’re applying to have rolling admissions (and I bet they do), and you’re smart about applying, there’s a pretty real chance that you’ll pick up an acceptance in the winter anyway.</p>
<p>The only way I would have seriously considered early decision would have been if all of my schools were non-rolling. It seems like non-rolling schools (my only experience is with Duke) do not give much preference to the kids who apply early, seem to extend interview invitations relatively late in the game (my Duke invite was my last one, and my Duke interview was also my latest completed–in November!), and tend not to accept anyone until March.</p>
<p>A difference between knowing in October and knowing in March MIGHT have swayed me to apply early. But knowing that most of the schools I applied to worked on a rolling basis, it didn’t seem worth it to potentially limit my options in favor of perhaps knowing a decision a few weeks earlier. If that doesn’t make sense I’d be happy to clarify :)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>