<p>IF a student is determined to apply binding ED to a competitive college, I recommend they spend time having other applications ready to go. This means spending the time researching and visiting alternative schools, finding out what they require (such as Sat IIs), keeping track of their deadlines for both admission and for financial aid (which can be Feb. 1), having recommendations ready, sending them SAT scores, etc. The goal is to do everything you can to have a backup in place so you are not overly stressed if the thin letter arrives 3 or 5 weeks before the application deadlines of many other colleges.</p>