<p>Just want to clarify. </p>
<p>If I apply somewhere Early Action (not decision), it'll give me a little bit of a better chance for admission, right? </p>
<p>And then if I don't get accepted EA, they then would consider me again for regular decision, right?</p>
<p>Sorry, but I've heard some conflicting info. </p>
<p>Also, is there any downsides to applying EA?</p>
<p>THANKS!!!</p>
<p>THe perception that it is "easier" because a greater percentage of students are admitted under ED as opposed to RD.
BUT the flip side is that the applicant pool tends to be more stronger ED.</p>
<p>No not Early Decision, Early Action....</p>
<p>That still applies as, chances are, the people who get their apps done by the EA deadline will be more qualified.</p>
<p>OPPS sorry! haha.
EA usually accepts the top students. Since its not binding, they don't have a similar applicant pool as ED so you wont be at a great advantage like ED unless you are a top applicant and want to know if you can get in early.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. At highly selective schools it's questionable that it helps at all. ED/EA is the round where they take athletes and legacies which is why the percentages accepted is higher.</p>
<p>At less selective schools it often helps.</p>
<p>Yeah, ED is usually for the students who have all their stats and financial information organized early enough for the ED deadline and where the ED school in question is their top choice and if accepted, the WILL attend (since it's binding)</p>
<p>EA is similar with stats and such, but many of the applicants probably have other schools in mind for their top choices. I imagine the EA pool is a big larger, because it's an non-binding option, but I could be wrong...</p>
<p>Now, from what I've read, I THINK that they can either Defer you, as in, put your application in the RD pool, or Reject you straight from EA/ED. I may be wrong, but I believe at least one place I've read up on EA/ED does this. It might be different for different schools.</p>
<p>It is generally assumed that applying anywhere ED or EA (and especially applying early for rolling schools) will give the applicant a minor boost. ED, since it's binding, nevertheless gets a bigger boost than say, EA or regular. </p>
<p>From my experience and knowledge, students with perhaps lower than average stats tend to apply early to their dream schools. But of course, top applicants apply early as well. </p>
<p>Applying EA is not binding. And most schools don't automatically reconsider you for regular decision (with the exception of Georgetown, I believe). Once you're rejected, you are rejected. Unless you are deferred from EA, will they reconsider your application for regular decision. I think some schools also waitlist EA applicants.</p>
<p>Downsides to applying EA? Not many i would think. Personally, I applied to four EA schools. And it's great to know early on (if you're accepted that is) in December that you won't be college-less and that you have the option to apply to "better" schools that you might like for regular decision knowing that you have a safety under your belt. And if you are deferred, you technically get a second chance at admissions during regular decisions, though some people might say that deferred applicants rarely get in during regular (not quite true, since I would assume they do give it another fair look over). The only downside maybe is that if your top choice school is one that you applied EA to, you won't be able to gain the extra advantage of ED for perhaps what is your second choice school.</p>
<p>I'd say EA = big fish in a small pond, although there are huge fish in the larger RD pond as well.</p>
<p>I think the data <em>is</em> contradictory.</p>
<p>EA/ED has higher % of acceptance, but remember that the EA/ED applicant pool is considered generally to be higher caliber, and --- this is really important at schools that value athletics -- most recruited athletes are "accepted" in the EA/ED period.</p>
<p>If there is any advantage in EA/ED, it is barely measurable. And the downside is HUGE. No ability to negotiate financial package, and with ED, what if you change your mind about your fit at the chosen school between November of Sr. year, and May of Sr. year? </p>
<p>If you ask me the risks are just as significant as the rewards.</p>
<p>So would everyone's consensus be that it would be worth applying EA over RD, but it may not make a difference? (coming from an average applicant)</p>
<p>Yes. I dont think there is any risk unless you are unqualified in the first place. While they accept recruitments and top students they defer many qualified students to compete in the RD pool anyway. You are most likely going to get rejected if you have no hope in the RD pool. It can't hurt, if anything it will let you now your standing with the school early and that is a BIG relief, even if you choose not to go in the long run.</p>
<p>EA doesn't have a very significant increase in percentages compared to RD.</p>
<p>ED is typically known to have admissions rates that are a lot higher than RD rates.</p>
<p>EA is sometimes a lot better for scholarships...</p>
<p>I have an upward GPA trend (current junior), as I just started really putting in the effort a few months ago (when CC told me that colleges care about GPA, not just SATs). With mostly B's first semester and A's second, I'll end up with half A's/half B's for this year average.</p>
<p>Next year, I'll start off at the beginning working like I am now and hopefully earn solid A's in several AP classes. Could applying ED before senior midquarter data is available actually hurt my chances?</p>
<p>if you don't get in EA then you WON"T be considered for RD unless you get deferred. EA is good if 1) you are a strong applicant or 2) only a very few people from your school are applying EA, makes you stand out from your peers and demonstrates your interest. For example, no one I know of at my school applied early to UChicago, but i'm sure if a "decently strong" candidate applied, his chances would have been boosted.</p>
<p>how would i know who's applying to what colleges EA from my school???</p>
<p>listen in on school gossip. ask around without being nosy.</p>
<p>lockn -- assuming you do get mostly As in your APs, yes, applying EA with *at that time) a lower gpa will not have presented you in the best light.</p>
<p>DunninLA- But most of those who apply ED/EA have already made a firm decision in where they plan to attend. Most do not take ED lightly and therefore I think it'd be unlikely to "change your mind" in 5 months. I think reward wins over in risk when it's ED, unless there are financial difficulties.</p>
<p>As for if it's easier... I'd think ED is easier than EA, because it's actually binding. EA usually has highly qualified applicants who want to start evaluating options.</p>
<p>buzzardsbay- I'd worry more about who's applying from your region than your school, that's usually the first round of selection.</p>