Case Western Reserve University's Early Decision II impact?

If I apply to Case Western Reserve University under their Early Decision II plan, will it significantly change my admission chances? What are the perks and drawbacks? I'd love to hear from anyone who's gone this route.

If you're considering applying Early Decision II (ED II) to Case Western, you're making a binding commitment to attend if admitted. The main advantage of applying ED II is typically a higher admission rate compared to Regular Decision applicants. Schools tend to favor ED applicants because they are guaranteed to attend if accepted, which helps the universities in managing their yield - the percentage of admitted students who decide to enroll.

According to data reported by Case Western, the ED acceptance rate has historically been higher than that of Regular Decision. Unofficial sources indicate that in past admissions cycles, the ED acceptance rate has been north of 40% whereas the RD acceptance rate has been in the 20%-30% range.

Another potential benefit of applying ED II at Case Western or any other university is that you'll receive your admissions decision earlier than RD applicants. If Case Western Reserve University is your top choice and you're certain you would attend if admitted, ED II can be a great choice.

However, on the downside, financial aid can be a potential issue for some students. Since ED II is a binding agreement, you're committing to attend the university before fully understanding the financial aid package you'll receive. If you have reservations about the cost of attendance and potential financial aid, it might be beneficial to apply the Regular Decision route instead so you can compare financial aid packages from other institutions.

Additionally, ED applicants generally have less time to improve their high school record with senior year grades or additional test scores since the application deadlines are earlier.

Remember, the decision to apply ED II should be made carefully. If Case Western is clearly your first choice and you’re comfortable with the financial implications, it could be the right path for you.