What should I know about Boston College Early Decision 2?

I'm interested in applying to Boston College and am trying to weigh the options between Early Decision 1 and 2. Can anyone share how Boston College's ED2 differs from ED1 in terms of acceptance rates or applicant pools?

Early Decision (ED) options, whether ED1 or ED2, differ primarily in their deadlines and corresponding decision release dates. ED1 typically has a deadline in early November with results coming out in mid-December, while ED2 deadlines usually fall around January with decisions released in February. Both plans require that you commit to attending the college if accepted and are offered adequate financial aid.

For Boston College specifically, the main advantage of ED1 is that if you're accepted, you finish your college application process earlier than many of your peers, and this could be a great relief. On the other hand, applying ED2 gives you more time to improve aspects of your application.

When it comes to acceptance rates, they are typically higher for both ED1 and ED2 applicants compared to Regular Decision, but the rates between ED1 and ED2 don't differ much. This is because in both rounds, colleges appreciate the commitment the applicants have shown, which is beneficial to their yield rates. However, please note that these are averages and trends, and the exact numbers can vary from year to year.

In terms of the applicant pool, it can also vary year by year, but it's reasonable to assume that it is slightly more competitive for ED1, as these students have likely identified Boston College as their top choice much earlier.

Ultimately, the decision to apply ED1 or ED2 should hinge on your personal readiness. If you feel confident about your application and Boston College is your top choice, then applying ED1 can be beneficial. If you need more time to bolster your application, then ED2 might be the better route. Remember, applying ED means you're committing to attend if admitted, so your decision should be made carefully after considering aspects such as potential fit and financial aid.