Smith College Early Decision 2: Worth It?

I'm thinking about applying Early Decision 2 to Smith College. Does anyone have experience with this route, and could it boost my chances of getting in?

Indeed, submitting your application through Early Decision 2 (ED2) to Smith College could potentially increase your admission chances. While the exact numbers fluctuate each year, generally speaking, colleges tend to admit a higher percentage of students from their early decision pools since they commit to attend if accepted, which enhances the college's yield rate.

However, it's important to consider that students who apply ED (whether it's ED1 or ED2) do often have stronger profiles, on average. This means that while the acceptance rate is higher in these rounds, the applicant pool may be more competitive.

Another thing to consider is that applying ED is a significant commitment because it's a binding decision, meaning that if you're accepted, you are expected to enroll unless the financial aid package makes it impossible for you to do so.

So, I would say, if Smith is truly your top choice and you've double-checked the financial aspect (like using the net price calculator), then applying ED2 can give you a bit of an edge. However, ensure you are ready for the commitment it entails.