<p>Their reason for cancelling early applications is because apparently it favored the "wealthy." However, only ED is where you apply and you are TIED to the agreement, meaning you pretty much have to know you have the $$ to pay or take out a loan.</p>
<p>But Harvard had early ACTION which isn't binding... which means even kids from poor families could have applied because they have until May 1st to decide.. after all the financial aid info comes in.</p>
<p>So, I'm confused as to what reasoning Harvard used to cancel EA? (their reason doesn't make sense)</p>
<p>They felt that it favored the kids from schools w/longer histories of sending students to top colleges. It's an effort to level the playing field. Also, they feel that the Nov deadline just brings too much pressure overall. Obviously they're a big player and their decision to end ED or EA can help set a trend.</p>
<p>Why EA? Because schools that offer it can establish an early relationship w/highly motivated candidates. It also allows some kids the benefit of knowing by December -- if accepted, they can choose to apply to others or eschew it completely.</p>
<p>I was admitted to my state's flagship school sometime in October my Sr year (rolling admissions). I was very relaxed going into December for sure. I applied to some pretty selective schools without worrying if they ALL rejected me. I ended up matriculating at an HYP.</p>
<p>"Why EA? Because schools that offer it can establish an early relationship w/highly motivated candidates. It also allows some kids the benefit of knowing by December -- if accepted, they can choose to apply to others or eschew it completely."</p>
<p>^Right, but I see this mainly applicable to smaller schools, like LACs and others. It just seems odd to me that Harvard would have EA, and now Yale and Stanford still have it. The thing is that all the prestige whores at my school just apply early for the heck of it, and I imagine that a lot of others do the same. It just doesn't seem worth it when you have tons of people whose top choices are Harvard/Princeton applying just for the name and the advantage EA brings.</p>