Early decision vs Regular Decision

What are the advantages/disadvantages of applying ED? Just came back from VTech and the have Early decision 1 and 2. In the admission talk the woman stated its better to apply ED 2 since they only leave 20% for ED 1. Now I looked at RIT another choice for DS and it says ED 1 and 2 also. This is all new to me. Does it hinder his choice of getting in through ED? Better to wait or hope if not in ED then rolled over for RD. Thanks.

Some schools have a much higher acceptance rate in their ED rounds.

The con is that usually ED is binding so you have to withdraw all other applications and can’t compare merit/financial aid offers.

Also, some school can reject in the ED round and not roll over an applicant to RD so, if an application needs a bit more shoring up, a student loses the ability to have midterm reports considered.

IMO, ED should only be used if there is a clear favorite school and that is affordable.

If there is a favorite school where there are no regrets, apply ED1. If there is a clear second choice, go ED2 if ED1 does not pan out.

If there is a favorite school where there are no regrets AND YOU CAN AFFORD IT, apply ED1. If there is a clear second choice THAT YOU CAN AFFORD, go ED2 if ED1 does not pan out.

Interesting comment about ED1 vs ED2 at VT - the schools my
D looked at that had both all stated that both were equally advantageous from an admissions perspective; ED2 was suggested if the student would be waiting for test scores, mid term report etc that might improve their application, but not because of any inherent advantage over ED1. So if you end up looking at ED elsewhere than VT I’d suggest double checking on whether either has an advantage over the other rather than assuming it works the same way.

Is this something brand new? I know last year (and new for that year) the choices were Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Those choices are still listed as choices on the VT website (nothing mentioned about ED 2).

@kidzncatz yes its early action. I put ed 1 and 2. I was looking at another school that put it that way. Sorry

ED is binding, EA is not. So if you and your son are not absolutely sure that VT is his first choice, or if you need (or would prefer) to compare financial aid packages, he should not apply ED to VT (if money is a factor, he shouldn’t apply ED anywhere). At VT, EA would be the wise choice, as it gives a better chance than RD. As you may know, engineering at VT is much more competitive to get into than other majors, with average weighted GPA 4.2, average SAT over 1350.

I disagree about not applying ED when you need money. As long as the NPCs show that it’s doable, and you aren’t trying to get the most money you can—if you know what you can afford to pay, then ED can give you a slight edge in FA.

The season is new, the coffers are full, and every single ED candidate has signed a statement saying they’ll commit to the school, backed up by parent and GC. This is the time for Admissions to do whT it loves to do, admit students who really want to come to the school and also boost the yield by getting as close to a 100% closure on the accepted students. Some schools out and out say they will meet full need for ED kids, when they do not for RD. If the school doesn’t meet your need, you are released. That’s all up front and understood.

But, yes, if you are looking to pay the absolute least amount, hoping on some full rides, generous merit, when the NPCs for school are doable, but painfully, ED is not the way to go. You don’t want regrets from ED, like High Reach U was really my first choice and now I’ll never know if I would have gotten in and Jean Jones did get accepted with a less sterling resume. Or Generous Uwould have given me that full ride considering Horace Smith got it l.