I'm really interested in Tufts and heard they might have an Early Decision II. I'd appreciate any details on deadlines or the advantages of going this route over regular Early Decision.
Yes, Tufts University does offer an Early Decision II (ED II) application option. If Tufts is your top-choice college and you want to demonstrate that commitment, ED II is a good way to show it.
In terms of deadlines, the deadline for ED II is typically January 1st. Just know that the admissions process is binding just like ED I, which means that if you're accepted, you're expected to withdraw all your other college applications and attend Tufts.
Choosing ED II may give you a slight admissions advantage compared to Regular Decision (RD), simply because colleges appreciate the demonstrated interest that comes with the binding commitment of early decision. The acceptance rate for ED applicants is usually higher than for RD due to the smaller pool of applicants and the commitment factor. But, the specifics of this can vary by year and the strength of the applicant pool, so there's no absolute guarantee that applying ED II will increase your chances of acceptance.
Also, since ED II deadlines are later than ED I, this gives you more time to improve your application, whether that's with better semester grades or more refined essays. But overall remember, whether you choose ED I, ED II, or RD, it's crucial to only apply when you feel your application is the strongest!
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