I know every elite school insists there is no advantage to applying early, but the numbers seem to belie that. What do you think?
Based on the experience of my sons’ friends, it appears to me that early decision is the best strategy for admission to a top college.
I think the difference for unhooked kids is not as large as the percentages indicate, however, because recruited athletes and other hooked candidates are included in these numbers.
Still, unhooked friends of my son did amazingly well early decision… and not so well regular decision.
So, yes, I think it provides an advantage… but for unhooked applicants, not nearly as large a difference as overall percentages would suggest.
If you are full pay and have no problem with that OR you have low EFC and are applying to need-blind colleges that meet 100% of need, then ED is big advantage and great strategy SO LONG AS the student really has a first choice they’d be thrilled with attending.
If you have high EFC and want to weigh cost options OR you have low EFC but you are NOT applying to need-blind schools, then RD is the better choice.
Finally, if the student doesn’t have a strong first choice and is still figuring it out, then RD is better despite the financial situation or need aware/blind status of the college.
I think there typically is an advantage to applying through a binding ED program and I don’t think elite schools will deny that. Some top schools only offer a non-binding EA option and I don’t think there is a notable advantage to applying under those plans.
@AlmostThere2018 What’s EFC?
Expected Family Contribution – you can find calculators online where you plug is income and asset information puls number and age of kids and it will let you know how much your family/student is expected to have available to pay for total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room & board, books, etc…).
If you want more specifics, you can go to a colleges Net Price Calculator and they will let you know how much you would be expected to pay at the college.
For highly selective colleges, they also require the student to submit a CSS Profile (run by College Board) which has a more detailed set of questions about family and student finances, but for now estimating your EFC should give you a good sense of where you stand with respect to need-based financial aid.
Some schools are very transparent that there is a bump to applying ED and that they fill the majority of their class ED. Those stats are easily obtainable with a quick google search.
Google “Common Data Set” for the college of your choice and you can get detailed admission statistics, including ED, EA, and RD, in a standardized format as well as information on enrollments, transfers, degrees conferred, etc.