Is Early Decision II an option at Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is one of my top choices, but I'm looking into different admission strategies. Does anyone know if they offer an Early Decision II application? How does this compare to applying regular decision?

Yes, Vanderbilt University does offer an Early Decision II (ED II) option for applicants. Just like with Early Decision I, when you apply ED II to a school, you're making a binding commitment to attend that school if accepted. The deadline for ED II at Vanderbilt typically takes place in early January (January 1), with decisions announced in mid-February.

If accepted, you are required to withdraw applications from other colleges and universities and submit a non-refundable deposit to Vanderbilt. This means that if financial aid is a significant factor in your decision, you should review Vanderbilt's financial aid policies, and perhaps use their Net Price Calculator, to get an estimate of the aid package you might receive.

As for the comparative advantages between ED II and Regular Decision (RD), applying ED II can increase your chances of admission since it demonstrates a high level of commitment to the university. Sometimes, the acceptance rate for ED II is higher than for RD, although it varies from year to year. It’s important, however, to balance this decision with other factors, such as your preparedness in your application materials and any potential financial aid considerations.

But remember, whether you decide to apply ED II or RD, the most important factor for admissions officers is going to be the quality of your application, be it your academics, extracurriculars, or essays. So, it's critical to ensure you're submitting a compelling and complete application no matter the deadline.