Early Decision?

Applying to College
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>People typically apply ED if they have a strong 1st choice that if accepted to every school on their list, they would choose that school without hesitation. They also don’t need too much financial help.</p>

<p>However, ED will help you only slightly. Your chances do improve under ED but only some. Like Columbia has a 6% acceptance rate overall but a 19% ED acceptance rate. Someone did the math on a different thread, but I think it came out to about 9-10% acceptance rate for unhooked (no legacies, athletes, URM, developmental, etcc…) applicants. So yes, it helps.
But it’s only a slight boost.</p>

3

<p>You already posted this on the college selection site. Pick one place and consolidate your post.</p>