Hi, in my experience on CC, I’ve noticed that so many people apply early decision to schools and the only people who don’t apply early decision are the brilliant 1500+ SAT students. I feel like if I don’t apply early somewhere I’l have no chance at all of getting into a top school, but I don’t know if I want to because of financial reasons and because I don’t have one obvious first choice. So my my question is, how much of a difference does ED really make? Would some one who isn’t necessarily an intel finalist/amazingly high SAT scorer still be able to get into an ivy-caliber school? Thanks for any responses, i’d hate to think my indecisiveness would be my reason for not getting into a good school…
<p>Only apply ED if you are sure that you want to go to that school and are sure that you will be able to afford to go there (and are sure that merit money from elsewhere wouldn't change your mind. If you are good enough to be considering an Ivy, you would qualify for merit aid from some lower ranked schools including probably your flagship state university).</p>
<p>While ED gives an advantage at some (not all!) top universities, it is not worth doing if you might end up at a college that is not the place you'd prefer to go. </p>
<p>Keep in mind, too, that a lot of personal growth occurs between Sept. and April of senior year. A college that is your #1 choice in Sept. may not be a top choice at all come April because you may have learned things about yourself that helped you realize that the college is not a good fit. It really can be helpful to have several colleges to pick from when April comes.</p>
<p>If you take a close look at the stats of who gets into top colleges (check the College Confidential archives, particularly posts from last April), you'll see that not everyone who gets into top caliber schools has the kind of stats and ECs that you referred to. In fact, you will find people with much lower stats who were accepted while people with sky high stats were rejected. The top universities look for more than stats. The top universities also take into account students' opportunities. </p>
<p>A premed wannabe student with scientist parents who comes from a high school with an exceptionally strong science department, dozens of National Merit scholars, and a history of Intel finalists will be evaluated differently from a premed wannabe student who is the top student in a high school that offers only one AP course, and doesn't even have a science fair.</p>
<p>If you are a strong student, who has determined a clear favorite college based upon your individual fit to that school (and not just the school's fame) and if you have either freed yourself of financial concerns or are willing to take whatever financial aid package comes your way....then ED is worth considering.</p>
<p>I don't think you have to apply ED to get into a selective college, it might give you a slight edge but it doesn't seal the deal.</p>
<p>No, and can be a detriment if finances are at all a concern. You really should not apply ED unless it is a/the favorite school and your family can afford to not worry what the financial aid award will be.
Unfortunately, ED does help at some schools, although less than statistics would lead you to believe. The statistic you really want to know is the ED acceptance rate after subtracting out students who are sure acceptances, particularly athletes, Intel finalists, concert pianists, etc. - those statistics aren't available, because even the adcom doesn't know who was given an "ED bump" and who would have gotten in anyway!
My DD benefited from ED, but I've come to think that it is a bad system. Even for her, the peace of mind that it gave her was not worth a hurried decision, although she doesn't regret her decision, and will be quite happy, I think.</p>
<p>ED stacks the deck for the college, they wouldn't offer it if it didn't benefit THEM as much or more than it helps you. Follow Mr. B's advice, and only do it for your reasons/benefit, not out of fear that you need that last little edge.</p>
<p>jmarsh2006, I know what you mean. I am planning on applying ED to Brown this fall because the acceptance rate is up to +-29%. The only trouble with that is that a lot of athletes/legacies also apply then...:(</p>