<p>The title says it all. I thought the point of ED was to see if you could get into your dream school before having to fill out all those extra applications in the RD round. Whats the point in getting the cons of ED (binding) without any of the benefits (early acceptance, fewer apps, etc)? If you are applying at the same time as the RD round, why not just apply RD and give yourself more options in May?</p>
<p>If you're a borderline candidate, applying ED can sometimes improve your chances. Likewise, if your stats are relatively high for your first choice school, applying ED proves that the school isn't just a safety for you. None of this changes if you apply ED2.</p>
<p>In most ED2 arrangements, you get a response by mid-February. So it does cut the wait time. And then you can stop worrying.</p>
<p>The fact that it's binding, or that you won't have "more options in May", doesn't matter, because you're applying to your #1 school.</p>