How does Early Decision 2 work at BU?

I'm thinking about applying Early Decision 2 to Boston University. Can anyone share how the admissions process works for ED2 there and if it offers a significant boost compared to regular decision?

Applying Early Decision 2 (ED2) to Boston University (BU) works essentially the same way as applying Early Decision 1, just with a later deadline. For BU, the Early Decision 2 (ED2) deadline is generally around January 1st, although you should always check the exact dates on the school's admissions website.

In terms of the rest of the process, when you apply ED2, you are making a contractually bound commitment to attend BU if you are accepted. Hence, it should be your first choice school and you should be perfectly comfortable with the idea of going there if you get in.

Regarding whether ED2 gives an advantage over Regular Decision (RD), the answer is usually yes, but to varying degrees depending on the year and pool of applicants. The reasoning behind this boost is pretty straightforward: colleges prefer students who demonstrate that they are seriously committed to attending, which is exactly what ED2 signifies. However, it's crucial to understand that applying ED2 won't compensate for a profile that's not competitive for BU.

As for financial aid, BU meets full demonstrated need for all admitted undergraduates, including those admitted ED. But since you're committing to enroll if accepted, you should consider running a net price calculator on BU's financial aid website to estimate your expected family contribution.

Remember, due to the binding nature of Early Decision 2, it's a choice you'll want to consider carefully. While it can provide a boost in admission chances, you also need to be certain that BU is your top-choice school and that you can afford to attend.