ED1 or ED2

My daughter is very interested in applying to Wesleyan - she is planning on applying ED. Since Wesleyan has the option of ED1 or ED2 is there any difference between them? I know that with ED 2 it gives you the ability to provide some of your grades as a Senior. Also, it seems that recruited athletes and Quest Bridge students apply ED1. Is there anything else to consider?

Both work the same way-- an advantage and binding. When schools break down the stats on admitted students, ED1 seems to have higher acceptance numbers. But you are right that that may be because large groups like recruited athletes, etc. are accepted at that time. If you think your senior grades will make you a stronger applicant, you may prefer ED2. Otherwise, if it is a clear first choice, ED 1 makes sense. If in doubt, your daughter could speak with an admissions counselor and ask.

Okay - what makes more sense… should my daughter apply ED1 even though she may need 1/2 of her Senior year grades to show consistency? She was originally going to wait for ED2 but I am not sure if it is worth the gamble to try for ED1 and either be accepted or hopefully be deferred to ED2. She does have a lot of honors and AP classes from 9th grade straight through her Jr year. She will also be taking additional honors and AP classes in her Senior year.

I don’t know this for a fact, but one coach put it to me this way: “the longer you wait, the fewer spots there are in the class. do the math.”

For example, something on the order of 40+% of the Williams class was admitted ED1. I would not want to be in a position of counting on getting one of the remaining spots through RD or ED2… Seems like the odds get tighter.

But I could be wrong.

The ED phase has become very popular. For a long time the ED phase was hardly used - now it has become the ‘norm’. I guess we should contact the Admissions counselor for Wes to get their opinion. I wonder if they would be able to provide insight. I agree - it would make sense to apply ED1. I just want to make sure that this is the correct choice.