<p>I think it is very dangerous to assume that ED ALWAYS gives a large leg up, especially if you are in the middle to lower range of student stats. There is a definite limit at many schools to how much ED helps. It may not pull you up from the bottom of the pile at EVERY school. Unfortunately, as we've seen here time and time again, kids who think they will get in ED often have a hard time switching loyalties when they don't get in or are deferred. </p>
<p>In considering ED, therefore, look very carefully at several factors: try to get the actual admissions stats for those admitted ED (ask the admissions office how people admitted ED compare to those admitted RD. Ask again. And again.) Look closely - do applying ED or EA really provide a significant advantage? How did people with comparable stats to you do in last year's round? Or were most of the ED/EA admits pretty close in terms of stats to those admitted RD? And, it is also important to look at the percentage of all admitted students accepted during the ED round. For instance, U of Penn fills about 45% of its class during the ED round. So, if U of Penn is your absolute first choice, and you have stats within the top 50% of their range, applying ED is a good move. However, at other schools this isn't always the case --- if a school only fills a tiny percentage of its class ED, then the "ED advantage" may not be worth it for a kid who isn't absolutely certain. And, even after the ED school has been chosen, make sure you continue to look at and apply to, other schools. Just my opinion.</p>