<p>does anyone have any idea as to what the acceptance rate for ed I is opposed to ed II? i'm not sure these stats are posted.</p>
<p>I've heard that they are pretty much the same. (percentage wise)</p>
<p>Will the Admissions people hold it against ED2 applicants that Swarthmore is probably a second choice to whatever school didn't accept them through ED, EA, or ED1?</p>
<p>I will probably apply ED2 to Swarthmore or Sarah Lawrence if I don't get into my first choice school. Bard doesn't have ED2. Anyone know why?</p>
<p>blacknblue:</p>
<p>I've never seen any breakdown between EDI and EDII. If I haven't seen it, it's likely the information has never been made available. The published stats for early decision include both rounds.</p>
<p>It's important to keep in mind that we are talking about very small numbers, typically in the range of 300 or so early decision applications. That means that any ED app is going to get the fullest possible consideration under the most favorable conditions, i.e. before the crush of applications starts to bury the adcoms. Both versions of ED are going to also carry the advantage of a "guaranteed yield" student to the college and a student who is expressing an above average interest in the school by his or her willingness to make a binding commitment.</p>
<p>I do think the EDII applicants are probably impacted a bit by how many EDI acceptances went out in a given year. But, even then, an EDII applicant has some edge over an RD applicant, especially in categories that the college is specifically trying to enroll.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if potential major choices have any impact on admissions?</p>
<p>noodles:</p>
<p>Officially? No.</p>
<p>Unofficially, I have to believe that the admissions office tries to balance the number of students likely to major in each of the three divisions.</p>
<p>This has become difficult in recent years because the number of students majoring in economics and political science has been increasing over the last decade or so. See this graph:</p>
<p>Additionally, the number of bio majors is very high.</p>
<p>Thus, it's a pretty good bet that admissions gives some edge to students likely to major in under-enrolled departments, including engineering, non-bio sciences, etc.</p>
<p>Having said that, the application can't be inconsistent. It doesn't make sense to write a potential major when your transcript and interests don't support it.</p>
<p>From a strategic standpoint, I would be inclined to emphasize interest where it coincides with under-enrolled majors and downplay interest in over-enrolled majors. For example, I would write "undecided" rather than "economics" or "chemistry" rather than "undecided". The three departments I would not list are bio, economics, and political science.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a big deal because Swarthmore knows that you are very likely to change your mind. But, it still could be a minor factor.</p>
<p>This PDF, especially page 2, lets you look at the current and historic popularity of each major on campus:</p>