Lafayette College Early Decision 2 strategy

Does anyone have insights on Lafayette College's Early Decision 2? Specifically, I'm wondering if it's a smart move if it's not my absolute top choice. Does ED2 offer any significant benefits compared to regular decisions?

Applying Early Decision 2 (ED2) to Lafayette College could indeed offer some advantages if Lafayette College is one of your top choices among your schools.

First, let's talk about ED2 in general. Like Early Decision 1 (ED1), ED2 is a binding agreement, so by applying ED2, you're committing to attend Lafayette if accepted. This comes into play primarily when considering the likelihood of acceptance. Colleges appreciate the certainty that comes with both Early Decision options because they can anticipate yield (the percentage of accepted students who actually enroll).

So, modestly improving your chance of admission is the primary advantage of ED2. If you apply ED2, you're telling the admissions committee that Lafayette is a top choice for you, and if admitted, you are committed to attending. This can boost your chances, particularly if your application is competitive for the college's standards.

However, remember to compare financial aid packages before making this commitment. While Lafayette is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, it's crucial that you and your family discuss your financial situation and consider running the net price calculator on Lafayette's website, as well as those at the other schools you're considering, to estimate your likely aid package at Lafayette before you commit to an ED2 application. You can access Lafayette's here: https://admissions.lafayette.edu/myintuition/

If you are admitted to Lafayette ED2 and your aid package is truly insufficient, that is one of the few reasons you are allowed to go back on your commitment to attend. However, this process can be complex, as well as heartbreaking, as you need to tell the school no after already being admitted, so best to avoid it if possible.

As for your question about whether ED2 is a good decision when Lafayette is not your absolute top choice, it goes back to being certain you want to attend Lafayette and considering your prospects both academically and financially. If you have another school that you would unquestionably prefer to attend over Lafayette, or if the financial aid package is a significant consideration, you should go for Regular Decision instead. This will leave you more options open once decisions from colleges start trickling in.

So, in a nutshell, ED2 is advantageous if Lafayette is among your top choices and you're competitive for admission but consider your choice closely to ensure it aligns with your academic and financial needs.