Johns Hopkins Early Decision 1 vs 2 Differences

I'm looking at applying Early Decision to Johns Hopkins but I'm not sure whether ED1 or ED2 would be better for me. What are the main differences between them? Is it just the timing or something else?

Early Decision (ED) is a binding agreement where, if accepted, you have to attend that school, unless the financial aid offered does not meet your family's needs. As you mentioned, Johns Hopkins offers two rounds of Early Decision: ED1 and ED2.

ED1 typically has an earlier deadline, usually in November, and you will receive your decision in mid-December. If you are completely sure that Johns Hopkins is your first choice, applying ED1 can be advantageous as it gives you a chance to secure your spot early and relieve some stress from the college application process. On average, applying ED can boost your admission chances. Keep in mind though, if you apply ED1 and get deferred, your application will be considered again in the Regular Decision pool.

ED2, on the other hand, has a later deadline, typically in early January, with decisions usually arriving in mid-February. This gives you a bit more time to work on your application and consider your options. ED2 is a good choice if you're not entirely sure about Johns Hopkins being your top choice early on or if you want to improve some aspects of your application like your senior-year grades or extracurricular achievements before you commit to a binding agreement.

Both rounds demonstrate strong interest in the university, but remember that this decision should ultimately be based on your confidence in Johns Hopkins being your first-choice school since, again, it's a binding agreement. Good luck with your application process!