Lehigh Early Decision Acceptance Rates?

I'm trying to understand my odds a bit better, so can someone help me out with the statistics for early decisions admissions at Lehigh? How do they compare to regular decision? Are there any advantages of applying early?

Applying Early Decision (ED) can sometimes provide an advantage in the admissions process, primarily because it signals strong interest in the school. Statistically speaking, the acceptance rate for Early Decision applicants at Lehigh has historically been higher than for Regular Decision. Although the specific percentage can vary from year to year, it's not unusual for the ED acceptance rate to be twice or even three times higher than for Regular Decision.

For instance, if you look at the data from a few years ago, the ED acceptance rate at Lehigh was roughly around 50%, while the regular decision acceptance rate was closer to 25%. This doesn't mean that getting accepted via ED is easy though—it's simply that the pool of ED applicants is smaller and might include more highly qualified candidates on average, since these are students who have identified Lehigh as their top choice.

As for the advantages, one clear benefit of applying ED is that you'll hear back earlier, usually by mid-December. This can lessen the anxiety of the college admissions process as you'll have secured a spot at a college you love early on. However, keep in mind that an ED application is a binding commitment. You're pledging to attend if accepted (and if the financial aid package is feasible for your family).

That being said, while the historical data tends to show a higher acceptance rate for ED applicants, it's important to remember that your own application should be as strong as possible, regardless of when you submit it. Make sure you're presenting your best self in your application, focusing on academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities, and personal aspects that make you unique. Best of luck with your application!