Early Decision?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I am looking at applying to top colleges. I am completely aware that it's up in the air whether I will get into them, but I feel I am a competitive applicant that has an equal shot at getting in. My problem is picking which to apply as Early Decision. Harvard and Brown are my two absolute top choices. (Don't worry, I have many non-ivies and backups on my list as well!) </p>

<p>I first thought I would apply Early Decision to Brown. However, if by some chance I did get into Harvard, I would kick myself for years to come for missing the opportunity. So, I then thought I would just apply ED to Harvard. Would I be wasting my Early Decision advantage? I know Brown is (slightly) less selective than Harvard, so would this be the more advantageous to apply ED here?</p>

<p>Advice is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Please read the websites carefully, H is SCEA, not ED.</p>

3

<p>Here’s the thing: if you are likely to be accepted at Brown under ED, you WILL be accepted by them under RD. </p>

<p>In your scenario, where you like them both equally, I would go H for SCEA and B for RD. </p>

<p>If you like Brown > H, then go ED to Brown.</p>

4

<p>It would perhaps help if you shared your stats.</p>

5

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<p>AND if you fully understand how how ED works and will not need to compare FA offers.</p>

6

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Really? I thought applying ED boosted your chances. This seems counterintuitive to me.</p>

7

<p>2 really important things:

  1. Applying ED doesn’t really boost your chances. It looks like it, since there tends to be a higher acceptance rate, but there is also a smaller applicant pool as well as a more qualified applicant pool. </p>

<p>Now the thing is that these colleges know what they are looking for so if you would be accepted under ED there’s no reason you shouldn’t be accepted RD, is what I think @T25E4 is saying.</p>

<p>2) No one has an equally competitive shot. Trust me. But if you have good backups then you already know that!</p>

<p>Personally I would go for the SCEA and then RD unless your parents know for a fact they can pay whatever Brown throws at them. Also it gives you time in case you change your mind and like another school more, or if you get really good merit aid at another school, or something. Waiting sucks, but most of the country will be doing it anyway.</p>