<p>My D and I attended an information session by the Dean of Admissions from Dartmouth last night and D is now more sure than ever that Dartmouth is her first choice. I understand that there is little advantage for the unhooked to apply early, but is there any advantage at all other than getting a decision by mid December? Also, if not accepted ED would applying early put her in a worse position in the RD round than had she not applied early?</p>
<p>Generally, I think the consensus is that applying early decision to top schools can’t hurt your chances, but it also won’t help your chances. Usually, if there’s any doubt about an applicant they’ll defer her to the regular decision round. If an applicant is denied in early decision, she would’ve been denied in regular decision.</p>
<p>The main reason to be weary of early decision is just the uncertainty of financial aid.</p>
<p>The consensus from many published reports is that applying ED gives candidates a boost in chances of getting in. You can google this to find examples that report this.</p>
<p>Aside from the financial aid issue, I have seen one disadvantage.</p>
<p>The student pins all her hopes on the ED school, and does not focus on other applications, even after the ED application is in. She gets deferred or rejected ED. She then has to throw together her other applications in very short order, while in a lousy frame of mind, and does not create strong applications. Her results are therefore less than stellar.</p>
<p>If your d has her heart set on Dartmouth, my advice is this: Do the Dartmouth application ED. Send it in. Then attack the other applications as if Dartmouth did not exist. She doesn’t have to send them until after she hears from Dartmouth, but at least if everything’s ready, she just has to push a button.</p>