After researching several colleges, I have noticed that most, if not all, give you the chance to apply as an Early Decision applicant. Is applying early bad? Or does it have its benefits over Regular Decision applicants?
Not all colleges have an early decision pool, and most actually don’t have it. Applying early is only bad if you aren’t 100
% sure you want to go to a school. Advantages you can have over RD applicants may include a higher acceptance rate(but much stronger applicants), the validity of knowing that you did/or did not get into your first choice college. Overall, you shouldn’t apply ed if you don’t want to go to the school for sure, but know that there are certain advantages and disadvantages to both.
You can only apply to one ED school. And you have to consider their financial aid offer in a vacuum. Run the Net Price Calculator on the school web site. If you can’t afford it then don’t apply ED because you can’t negotiate on the aid offered like you MIGHT be able to in an RD situation.
ED Pros:
- A somewhat enhanced acceptance probability
- A relaxing senior year, with less “March stress”
ED Cons: - Ethical commitment to attend “the ED school” if accepted, therefore
- Early certainty that the finances are viable, and
- Early certainty “the ED school” is – and will remain – your #1 choice
Post #3 is indeed correct, but note that higher admission rate for the early round - regardless of ED or EA - results from much stronger applicant pool.
If you have competitive profile and if you know your heart is set on that one school (which has ED plan) and also know that you will go there if you were to be admitted, it would be a very wise decision to apply ED.