<p>What is Early Decision in actual (and easier words)? Does it mean that I can apply to one university only?</p>
<p>You can still apply to multiple colleges, but you can only do one Early Decision. Depending on other colleges’ individual policies, you can ED one school, and do Early Action and Regular Decision for other schools at the same time.</p>
<p>However, if the school you applied to as Early Decision accepts you, you HAVE to go to that school, so don’t ED a school unless you know you want to go there or would be fine with going there.</p>
<p>Generally if you apply Early Decision you have a higher chance of getting into that specific college as well.</p>
<p>You do have an out if you are accepted ED. If the financial aid offer is not sufficient for you to attend. If you need to compare aid offers, don’t use ED.</p>
<p>Note that certain schools have SCEA/REA that prohibit you from applying to ED at other schools. If you are absolutely sure that you want to attend that school and you are not really financially constrained, you may apply ED to that school if possible.</p>
<p>As a general rule, most <em>private</em> schools that have non-binding EA stipulate that you cannot apply to any EA or ED option at ANY other private school, but you may apply to as many non-binding EA <em>public</em> schools as you like.
Check each school’s EA explanation carefully to make certain you are not violating their rules. Schools that offer any kind of limited early consideration often share their admission decisions on the early applicants with other such schools. (“This is John, who applied under our binding ED. We are offering him admission, so if he applied to you, please close his application.” “Well, he applied under binding ED here, too.” “Dishonest - reject!”)</p>
<p>^^The number of SCEA or REA schools is very limited:</p>
<p>@FCCDAD and @"Erin’s Dad" I am looking for financial aids. I have one university in my mind where I want to apply through ED. If I do not get financial aid, I will go for another one. As a result, I have decided to apply to that particular uni through ED and others Regular. Is that okay?</p>
<p>That’s OK but I have one caution. If you need to compare FA offers you won’t be able to with ED. Your ED financial aid will come well before your other offers and you’ll never know if that was your best offer or not. Why ED vs. EA? Is it the school you’ve set your heart on?</p>
<p>How much financial aid are you looking for from this school? I encourage you to use that college’s financial aid calculator (usually found on their websites) and see what amount it calculates that you might qualify for. If you are OK with that amount, then yes, I would say you could take the chance and apply ED, knowing you have a good argument if they come back with LESS than that amount you can say “hey, can’t accept”. But if you want/need MORE than what the calculation is saying your family qualifies for, then I would recommend strongly – DO NOT APPLY ED.</p>