is there a major difference between early and regular decision -
if you apply early to a competitive school, will you have a higher chance than applying regular decision?
also, how many schools can you apply early decision to?
One school early decision, and if you are accepted, you must withdraw any other applications.
Most schools allow you to apply to as many schools as you want EA, but there are some that restrict you to one EA private school, and then other public schools. You need to research and follow the EA rules for the schools you are considering.
Most people feel you do have an advantage applying ED, and it is often required if you want a legacy preference or if you are an athlete and want coach’s support. That’s up to the school and the coach.
Yes, applying ED is a firm commitment to attend the school; EA just means you hear early and you very typically do not have to commit to the school until May 1, the same date as RD applicants. A few schools (some Ivies, Stanford, Catholic schools) have modified versions of these programs. Some schools offer ED1 and ED2 (Wake Forest), two chances to commit to the school, and a few offer ED1, ED2, and EA (Chicago).
Schools like to say it does not affect an applicant’s chances to apply RD or ED, but at schools like Duke and many others there is a dramatic difference in the acceptance % RD and ED, so it’s hard to believe that it is just a matter of legacies, athletes, and a stronger pool of confident applicants. At some schools, though, like Rice, the difference in the rates is small.
So ED can be an advantage, but it commits the student and removes the opportunity to compare prices among different schools. So it can be a difficult calculation, which depends very much on personal circumstances.
It is important to note that one can only apply ED to one school (and one has to follow the rules if a school has a modified EA program). Students can get themselves into significant difficulties if they violate this. However, a student can typically apply ED to one school and apply EA to as many as they want. They just have to withdraw all applications if they are accepted ED. This just fair to the schools and to other applicants. Good luck!
Note that if you apply ED requesting FA, but not enough FA is offered, you say thanks but no thanks, and apply elsewhere.