Johns Hopkins Early Decision 2: Worth Applying?

I'm thinking about applying Early Decision 2 to Johns Hopkins. Has anyone done this before? Is there a noticeable difference in acceptance rates or any other perks I should know about?

Hello! Applying for Early Decision II (ED II) can indeed increase your chances of getting accepted to a university, including Johns Hopkins. This concept of boost primarily comes into play because when you apply for ED II, you are demonstrating a high level of commitment, as you're agreeing to attend the college if accepted.

It's also worth noting that the acceptance rate in the ED rounds tend to be higher than in the Regular Decision pool. However, this doesn't mean an easier acceptance, as the ED applicant pool is often full of highly competitive students who have chosen the school as their top choice.

One thing to remember—it's important that you are absolutely confident that Johns Hopkins is your top-choice school because ED II is binding, meaning you have to attend if you're accepted (unless there's a financial concern). Not only should you ensure that you're a good fit academically, but also that you'd be happy with the campus life, student body, location, and so on.

Finally, you should confirm that paying for Johns Hopkins would be feasible before applying early decision. They do meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and are need-blind (for domestic applicants), but it's always a good practice to use their net price calculator to get a sense of your likely financial aid package.

While you can be released from your binding ED commitment if your financial aid package is truly insufficient, this process can be complex, as well as heartbreaking, since you need to tell the school no after being accepted. So, it's best to avoid it if at all possible.

In terms of specific perks of applying ED II, beyond the admissions boost, the main one is finding out your admission decision earlier. Having a secure spot at Johns Hopkins could relieve a lot of stress as you approach the end of your senior year!

So, in conclusion, it could be worth applying ED II to Johns Hopkins if you're confident it's the right school for you in terms of fit, and if you feel your application is strong and complements what Johns Hopkins looks for in their students. Best of luck!