<p>If I remember correctly, I read from a website (Not sure whether it was a credible source or not) that during the ED round, adcoms focus more on an applicant's GPA and test scores than they do on other parts of their application. The explanation provided was that they use the ED applicants in order to ensure that they will be able to maintain their rankings for the subsequent year. Can anyone verify this? I mailed my application to Cornell today (ED) so I'm especially curious about the differences between ED and RD and what the adcoms focus on during each round.</p>
<p>i hope thats not true, doesn't seem very credible. i doubt they would change their focus, the only difference is the slight advantage</p>
<p>Kentric: that does make some logical sense, although not verified....In ED, they have 100% knowledge that the candidates' stats will be factored into the rankings..With RD, they can actually tweak those numbers based on what they commited to during ED round.....TEchnically, it could work both ways.....If they want to be slightly lenient during ED (because students show commitment), they could use the RD round to concentrate more on building up the stats......This, to me, seems like a more logical conclusion, but who knows......You still should only use ED if you are absolutely sure the school is your #1.....</p>
<p>I was just at JHU for the fall open house, and they told me that during the ED round they have more time to look at the student hollistically. Of course, stats are still important but in the case of Johns Hopkins, I don't think the ED round is used for stat building. Its for finding people who are intelligent and would be a really good fit with the college.</p>
<p>Best of luck with Cornell!</p>
<p>yea cuz for me, its my grades that are really good and my ec's and leadership as well. as far as my sats, they'll only hurt the skool's stats prolly.</p>
<p>Accepting as many students ED as possible increases the school's yield.</p>