What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Should I apply early decision?

Hey guys, I have a top-choice school in mind, and I'm considering applying early decision. Is it a good strategy, and what are the potential drawbacks? Thanks for any input!

10 months ago

Hey! Applying Early Decision (ED) can be a good strategy if you're absolutely sure that the school you're applying to is your top choice. It can potentially boost your chances because colleges know that admitted ED applicants are committed to attending, which is beneficial for their admission yield.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. Since ED is a binding agreement, you are committing to attend that college if you're accepted, which means you won't have a chance to compare financial aid offers from other schools. Also, if you get accepted to your top school early, you may lose the motivation to finish other applications, which could limit your options if you change your mind later or end up not being able to afford the school.

Before committing to the ED route, make sure you've done thorough research on the college, its financial aid policies, and that you're certain it's the best fit for you. Good luck with your decision!

10 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.