<p>It seems that UChicago doesn't practice early decision or single/restrictive choice early action, like other selective schools do. Does this mean that applying to Chicago early doesn't give you an edge since applying early has no strings attached? Also, what do you anticipate will the accept rate be for the class of 2019?</p>
<p>The acceptance rate ea was about 12% this year, and last year’s overall acceptance rate was about 9%, if that helps 
So it’s quite a small advantage</p>
<p>Compared to Harvard SCEA (21%) this year, Chicago EA of 12% sounds low. But Chicago has more applicants than Harvard. :)</p>
<p>They are sort of different animals.</p>
<p>For single choice EA you only have one choice, no other EAs, no EDs. So a student will be very careful and strategic on it. The number of applicants will be smaller.</p>
<p>On the other hand open EA does not restrict anything. You can apply multiple open EAs and one ED. It turns out the number of applicants seems larger.</p>
<p>MIT and Caltech adopt open EA like Chicago does. This Admission cycle MIT has a large number EA applicant pool too. So its EA admit rate is lower accordingly.</p>
<p>Open EA also allows you to apply restricted EAs at the same time. E.g., you can apply REA to Georgetown and open EA to Chicago simultaneously.</p>