Considering UChicago Early Decision II: Is it the right move?

I'm debating whether I should apply to UChicago through Early Decision II. Does anyone have advice on whether it significantly increases the chances of being accepted, or is the difference not that big?

Applying Early Decision (ED) to any college, including UChicago, could increase your chances of admission. The exact increase varies by institution, but on average, the boost applicants see in their chances of admission to highly selective schools is about 1.6x or a 60% increase.

So, for example, if your chances were initially 4% in the Regular Decision round, they might increase to approximately 6.4% in the ED II round. This might not seem like a big difference, but when dealing with highly competitive schools, every extra percentage point can make a substantial difference.

However, it's important to make this decision carefully. Early Decision is binding, which means you're committed to attending if accepted. You should only apply ED II if UChicago is your top choice and you are confident that it's the best fit for you academically, socially, and financially.

Financially, you should consider whether the cost of attending UChicago is manageable for you and your family. You can get an idea of what your financial aid might look like by using UChicago's Net Price Calculator, which is available on their website. If UChicago is your top choice and financially feasible, then applying ED II might be a good option to increase your chances of admission.

This decision will depend entirely on your personal preference and circumstances. Don't rush into anything, and consider your decision carefully.