Early Decision?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a high school junior, and I know I still have awhile to figure everything out, but I was wondering how I should go about attacking the subject of early decision. I've visited 9 colleges and have a few more I'm going to see this summer. Right now I have a clear front runner: Oberlin College. However, Vassar and Skidmore aren't far behind, and I believe I'd be more than happy attending any of them if I'm accepted.</p>

<p>So what kinds of kids apply ED? Are they generally people who have a clear top choice way beyond the rest? Or are some like me, with a top choice but with a close second and third?</p>

<p>Also, how much does ED <em>truly</em> help mine or anyone's chance of admission? Statistics show it being nearly doubled at some schools, but I know this can be skewed due to athletes, legacies, other hooks etc. (and I don't fall into any of these categories).</p>

<p>But on the other side, I'm nervous about not getting in to any of my top choices if I just apply RD everywhere. While I do have strong stats (31 (32 superscored) ACT, 3.86 UW GPA (4.7 W), all honors and AP classes, relatively strong ECs with leadership positions, stellar essays), I am aware that the schools I'm looking at are selective and can be reaches even for the strongest applicants...</p>

<p>Any insight on ED would be awesome. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>ED is appropriate if you have a definite first choice. And there is is a benefit to apply ED for many LACs. Some schools also have ED2 (including Vassar I think) if your top choice doesn’t pan out and you have a clear cut second choice. </p>

3

<p>Usually ED kids are the ones who have the college as their clear-cut top-choice in their hearts. There will definitely be a few like you, who would be happy to get into their ED school but if that doesn’t work out, you’d be okay because you have other options you like.</p>

<p>If you look at the stats (objectively), it seems obvious that ED is the way to go (esp. with LACs. Many of them have a 50% acceptance rate ED compared to ~10% RD). But you’re right, these numbers are skewed a bit because of legacies and athletes. But say even half of an accepted pool is hooked, that means that 25% of the ED pool is accepted and unhooked. So it’s still advantageous, but not by too much more.</p>

4

<p>For an ED school to work, the price should be in your budget as well. </p>

5

<p>^ This. An ED acceptance does not allow you to compare FA offers.</p>