<p>“ED and EA are utilized because they’re good for colleges not students”</p>
<p>Colleges like ED for locking in money (from full list payers) and top talent. EA doesn’t do schools as much good; it will tip a few students to them, and lighten the RD workload a bit.</p>
<p>Students love ED and EA (when there’s an acceptance!) for reducing stress after Dec. 15, knowing they have a good place to go.</p>
<p>“And that’s why fewer and fewer kids get to go where they want.”</p>
<p>With seats constant (or decreasing at some state schools) and increasing applicants, fewer kids get their first choice. We’re just coming off the peak of the echo boom, so there will be somewhat fewer applicants for a while (to all schools combined), unless internationals continue increasing in numbers.</p>