<p>like in an ivy? ... like penn?
thanks everyone!</p>
<p>the way I see it is:</p>
<p>1) higher acceptance rate for early
2) the average student in the early applicant pool will be 'better' and show more interest as a whole than regular decision.</p>
<p>Early decision more often probably improves your chances, early action might even hurt you.</p>
<p>Most colleges that do ED say that they strive to make the same decision in ED as in RD. I don't believe it, but that's what they say. Usually athletes, legacies and some URM's too dominate ED pools so the acceptance rates are up, but by an enormous amount (nearly doubled Brown ED vs. Brown RD projected rate this year)</p>
<p>URM’s often don’t compete during ED.</p>
<p>If you are a qualified applicant it can double your chances of being accepted (this varies slightly by school though), if you are under-qualified early decision won’t help you.</p>