Wash U Early Decision 2 Pros and Cons?

Considering Early Decision 2 for Washington University in St. Louis - will it give me a better chance of acceptance or could it limit my options if I'm not entirely sure yet? Looking for advice from those who've been through it.

Opting for Early Decision II (ED II) at Washington University in St. Louis can certainly grant a slight advantage in terms of acceptance rates. This is often because demonstrating the commitment to attending a university if accepted - an aspect inherent to the ED II process - can be looked upon favorably by the admissions committees.

However, the major con of this route is what you've identified: the potential to limit your options. Once you receive an acceptance from your ED II school, you're bound to attend (barring any substantial unforeseen circumstances such as inadequate financial aid), which means you're not able to compare offers, programs, or financial aid/scholarship opportunities from other colleges.

This factor can be significant, as the typical decision timeline enables you to weigh out your acceptance offers, consider financial aid packages, and evaluate which school best fits your academic and personal ambitions. By committing to an ED II, you risk giving up these possibilities.

Another factor to consider is financial aid as ED II doesn't allow for comparing aid packages. It is recommended that you complete the online net price calculator for WashU to get an estimate of your potential financial aid before making the decision to apply ED II.

Finally, it's also crucial to keep in mind that Early Decision is more advised for students who have a clear-cut first-choice school. If you're not entirely sure about WashU being your top choice, you might want to assess whether an Early Decision aligns with your higher education goals.

In sum, the increased admittance probability is an advantage of ED II; however, the binding aspect and limited comparison opportunity make it a decision to take after profound reflection.