<p>In previous years, a handful of students at my son's HS applied EA/ED.It used to be just the top students, but now it seems that many are using it just to increase their odds at a reach school.
This year, more that half of the senior class, 60+%, is applying early. </p>
<p>Has anyone else noticed a large increase in early applications, and do you think this is a trend? Do you think a large number of early apps to a college makes it a lot more difficult for kids to get in RD?<br>
At first I thought, ok, the EA kids will be set and may not apply to as many other schools, leaving some room for the RD applicants. Apparently, however, many students are planning to apply to all the top schools even if they get into their first (EA) choice - just to see where they can get in. I can't blame them, really, but I'm just wondering if the whole EA thing is going to fall apart if/when it becomes the norm at competitive high schools. It seems that it has become more of a strategy at our high school, and less of a true first choice option. I also notice the same attitude on this site _ "where should I apply early?? " </p>
<p>Has this always been the case and I'm just becoming aware, or are a lot more kids really applying early across the country?</p>
<p>I think that is very true. ED/EA is seen more as a strategy. At my school so many of the middle-tier students are applying to top schools ED because they believe its their "best shot" to get in. I'm not sure what will happen. I think there will be some backlash as I see a lot of students applying ED who have considerable financial aid concerns and I can only imgaine the situation when the aid package arrives and its not enough.</p>
<p>I think you are just becoming aware. Some will say "the tide turned" when schools announced SCEA. When I saw your topic I thought perhaps your opine was that the numbers of ED would be lower this year.</p>
<p>Do you think a large number of early apps to a college makes it a lot more difficult for kids to get in RD? </p>
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<p>Like everything in college admissions, it really depends on the school. Some schools actually admit a very small percentage of the freshman class EA/ED. Others (UPenn is the classic example) admit quite a high percentage, sometimes close to 50%. Obviously, this means there are fewer places left if you're applying regular to one of those schools. Unfortunately, most of the guidebooks just list a combined acceptance rate (early plus regular), which, if a school accepts a high percentage early, can be deceptive if you're planning to apply RD.</p>
<p>One of the reasons why I like the US News premium online college edition, and consider it is worth every cent of the $15 it costs, is that they breakdown the percentages admitted ed/rd AND gives you three acceptance rates: the early acceptance rate, the regular acceptance rate, and the combined overall acceptance rate. Without this information I feel it is difficult to realistically evaluate chances.</p>
<p>Thanks.
Carolyn - does the US News premium separate the EDIs from the EDIIs at all? Their Ultimate College Guide has some of this information, but does not separate the two ED options, and it also doesn't list all the schools - WashU for example is not listed. Does the online premium addition list most of the more selective schools?</p>
<p>I come from a small int'l school in Romania (30 seniors, 140 high schoolers about), so I can't state whether or not there is an ED/EA trend going on outside the US. </p>
<p>I can state that last year no seniors applied EA/ED (though a student did get in UPenn RD), but this year, there are around 5/6 students doing ED. One of them is a "middle-tier" student, hoping for either Pace or NYU. The others are strong students, academically and extracurricularly. </p>
<p>I think, perhaps, there is a notice of the ED/EA option in my school solely based on the increase of notices about the SAT's and yes, articles floating around the Internet implying or giving anecdotal evidence of how strategic the EA option is. I believe if EA is made SC, it would increase the caliber of the applicants, instead of being used as a "this might increase my chances" tactic.</p>
<p>My daughter applied early action. She did it for one simple reason...she wanted to get the college application over with early in her senior year. She didn't want it dragging out until January or later. Of course, she hopes that her first choice school will see that she is serious about them...and accept her soon!!</p>
<p>applying early can mean rolling or ED/EA/SCEA. I would expect that many students would have raised their hand for many selective state schools are rolling and students submit applications to those schools much earlier than the more regular early options.</p>
<p>Are you telling us that you guys aren't dying to get into UMich? I mean nobody? All hugs & kisses up there is the 80's........that just doesn't figure. You are just out to thump me here on CC I can feel it!!!</p>