<p>If I want to go to Carnegie Mellon but don't have the grades to get in regular decision how much would applying early decision help?</p>
<p>Does anyone have any idea?</p>
<p>I think it definitely does help but to say how much it helps is anybody’s guess. It may also depend on the department/school you are applying to. For example, CS is already competitive and they can have their pick amongst the applicants. Look up the acceptance rate in ED vs RD within the school if you can. I also think that CMU considers interest- campus visit, interview, audition, portfolio review, sleeping bag weekend, pre college camp and attendance at admissions visits to your area. That was just my impression. ED is binding. You also get the best financial aid by ED but cannot compare financial aid packages from other schools. Advantages/Disadvantages to ED route.</p>
<p>It’s really impossible to answer this question from the info you provided. Can you be a little more specific? But in my opinion, if you know that your grades are too low for regular action, then I doubt ED will help you much.</p>