If I apply ED to a school but I'm a little below their average is that a good idea?

Applying to College
1

I’m just wondering because I wanted to do ED for one of my schools

2

Do you have Naviance? One thing I learned a little too late to be helpful to my kid is to go to the school stats page of the school you’re looking at. There you’ll see the average ED stats and average RD stats from your school. You’ll also see lowest accepted stats. This might help you decide.

3

@Momofmrb thanks

4

IMO one should apply ED if:

  1. the school is your absolute top choice
  2. you don’t expect to materially improve your application (ex. don’t apply ED if your want to re-take standardized tests after the ED deadlines)
  3. you have no need to compare financial offers from other schools.

If the above conditions are all met then apply ED. At some schools it does apply a bump. But applying ED won’t get you into a school you are not qualified to attend so be sure it is an application that makes sense.

5

It depends on the school also. If you are below average at super selective schools, it is a waste of your one ED card. They will have plenty of ED applicants with stellar stats. But it might be useful at colleges that aren’t as selective and who want to be sure of meeting their yield.