What's the Harvey Mudd Early Decision 1 vs 2 difference?

I'm looking into applying to Harvey Mudd College and noticed they have Early Decision 1 and 2. Can someone explain the main differences between them? Trying to decide which would suit me better.

One main difference between Early Decision 1 (ED1) and Early Decision 2 (ED2) at Harvey Mudd College is the deadline to submit your application.

For ED1, the deadline is typically around mid November, and you'll likely receive an admissions decision in mid-December of the same year. On the other hand, the ED2 deadline usually falls around early to mid-January, and decisions are released around mid-February.

Both options come with binding commitments: if you're accepted, you agree to enroll and will have to withdraw all other college applications. However, ED2 gives you a bit more time to finalize and strengthen your application – this additional time can be especially beneficial for refining essays, rounding out your senior year fall semester grades, or adding any notable achievements or updates since the ED1 deadline.

Therefore, if Harvey Mudd is absolutely your top choice and you're ready to commit in November, go for ED1. If you need a little more time or want to further weigh other college options before making this binding commitment, then ED2 may be the more appropriate route. Keep in mind, however, that ED applicants are expected to have a strong interest in the school and a well-reasoned decision behind applying early.