<p>Obviously on here and many other places, I've heard that applying ED/EA to colleges gives you an advantage because it shows how devoted/sure you are to/of the college. But, my dad told me it would actually be worse because during ED/EA colleges only pick people who they for sure know they want to accept. So that would mean that if you don't totally impress them, you're out. Which is true? Thoughts?</p>
<p>Well it gives you an advantage because the way college admissions work is that they have to fill a certain number of seats for their incoming freshman class (based on credentials, of course). So if you apply first, it shows that you really want to go to that college, AND it puts you at the “beginning of the line” so to speak. </p>
<p>Generally, it’s better to apply Early ACTION because it gives you more options. Early Decision should only be used if you KNOW you DEFINITELY want to go to that school and you can afford it.</p>
<p>Oh okay, thanks.</p>
<p>So if money isn’t a concern for me and I feel like I really love a particular college, I should apply ED?</p>
<p>Is ED viewed ‘above’ EA? Or are they about the same?</p>
<p>Some colleges only do ED, some do EA. It really depends on the college. </p>
<p>Yep, if money is of no concern (lucky…) then definitely apply ED. Just watch out for the different datelines though. If you still need to retake SAT or SAT II then they want you to take the October date so you can submit the scores in time.</p>
<p>But if they offer both ED and EA, do they count both as equal? Or do you have a higher chance of acceptance applying ED?</p>
<p>I’m not sure about that. But again, if it’s your dream school, and you have no problems about money, then do ED over EA.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for your help. :-)</p>
<p>From what I have read, ED admissions rates are higher than the general group of applicants at most schools. The same is not true for EA.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. :-)</p>
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<p>There are generally higher acceptance rates for both groups, though for different reasons. ED applicants are bound to attend if accepted, upping that school’s yield (consider how different the yield rate for schools just below HYP–Duke, Dartmouth–would be without those ED kids). ED applicants generally receive a higher chance (not just rate) of acceptance precisely because they are bound to attend if accepted. </p>
<p>For EA, there is no admissions boost, other than the immeasurable idea that you are one of the first applications adcoms see and may not be as weary as they are come spring. Generally, especially for schools like Stanford and Yale, these admissions pools are very, very strong, contributing to the higher acceptance rates. Adcoms only accept those students they would accept regardless of the strength of the RD applicants, so it’s not a way for a less-than-stellar student to get a boost.</p>
<p>Be careful about applying ED unless you are positive you will want to go to that school. You’ll be committed when your friends are experiencing the excitement of multiple possibilities, and it can be anti-climactic.</p>
<p>SCEA helps, because it shows they are your first choice, so it helps their yield. Obviously ED is even better because it’s 100% yield. EA obviously isn’t quite as good, but it usually helps a bit.</p>