<p>I am in some problems because my SAT score isnt what I wanted it to be by this time of the year. I may end up having to retake in October...problem is I will need to take my last two SAT IIs in november then. That puts me out of the running for any applications for ED and EC. </p>
<p>Is applying ED or EC really a boost or advantage? Discuss!</p>
<p>As to whether or not early decision or early action benefits you in terms of a higher chance of acceptance depends upon the school itself. Some schools have higher ED/EA rates to ensure a higher yield, yet at some schools, the acceptance rate would be no higher compared to RD decisions.</p>
<p>I meant EA! haha was in too much talks about extra currics..</p>
<p>do you think that the high yield of ED is just a reflection of good applicants in the first place?</p>
<p>I am not entirely sure if the ED/EA pool is just supplied with extremely talented applicants. One would think that extremely talented applicants would apply to a variety of upper tier schools and this is not possible in binding ED or EA agreements.</p>
<p>ED/EA is the round where colleges take the vast majority of their athletes, legacies, staff kids and the connected. If you fit into one of those categories it is important to apply ED. </p>
<p>After that it depends on the school. At most top schools it won't help you. As you go down the food chain it becomes more and more important because yield really matters to these schools.</p>
<p>EA is a much tougher pool than ED. EA (like Georgetown or UChicago) is for people who are comfortably sure they've got a good to strong chance of getting in, but do not want to commit for sure. They want to have options by December. However, there will be some who apply EA that see Georgetown or UChicago as their first choice and do not apply ED, simply because those schools do not have an ED policy.</p>
<p>ED indeed is the pool with much weaker applicants than in the RD pool, with all the athletes and legacies et al connected people dominating that pool.</p>
<p>With that said, ED is a huge boost. Studies and cold hard numbers show that your chances are much greater the ED round than the RD round, and if you're a strong applicant, you will stand out among the weaker ones in the ED pool.</p>
<p>Do ED if you can. I would not really recommend EA unless you're already a pretty strong applicant by November.</p>
<p>ED is definitely an advantage because colleges are all about yield rates, and if the college accepts you you have to go. EA is less of an advantage, but still gives you a better shot than RD.</p>