What does being deferred to Early Decision 2 mean?

I just found out I got deferred to ED2 at one of my top-choice colleges. I'm a bit confused about what this means for me. How will it impact my chances of getting in compared to regular decision?

Being deferred to Early Decision 2 (ED2) simply means the admissions committee wants additional time to assess your application in comparison to other candidates. It's crucial to bear in mind that while this isn't an outright acceptance, it also isn't a rejection. The decision has basically been put on hold.

Your application will now be reviewed and compared within the ED2 applicant pool. This additional view can sometimes be beneficial because ED2 pools are typically smaller than Regular Decision pools.

It's also important to remember that applying under ED2 still involves a binding commitment just like ED1. If you're accepted, you're expected to enroll, so be prepared to withdraw your other applications, if you have any.

In terms of how this affects your odds of admission, there's no guaranteed answer as it is school-dependent. However, generally, the admission rates for ED1 and ED2 are often higher than for Regular Decision, as these early decision rounds demonstrate a clear commitment to the institution. Yet, by how much they are higher can vary by school, and the increase might be less for ED2 than for ED1. Therefore, it's crucial that while waiting for the ED2 decision, you also continue with your other college applications just in case things don't work out. This way, you keep your options open. Good luck!