Does Early Decision II Increase Admission Chances?

I've heard that applying through Early Decision II might boost my chances of getting into my dream school—like UChicago or Hopkins. Can anyone share if applying ED II actually improves the admission likelihood compared to Regular Decision?

Yes, applying Early Decision II (ED II) can potentially increase your chances of admission compared to Regular Decision (RD). The main reason is that ED II, like Early Decision I (ED I), is binding and therefore communicates a strong commitment to the school, which can appeal to admissions offices.

However, the boost for ED II applicants may be somewhat smaller than for ED I applicants. Part of the reason is that the initial pool of ED I applicants is typically smaller but contains a high percentage of outstanding candidates, making it relatively competitive but still advantageous for strong candidates. By contrast, many ED II applicants were initially rejected from or deferred by their top-choice ED I schools and are thus potentially less competitive.

To give you an example, in past years at schools like Vanderbilt and NYU, ED II admit rates have been higher than RD rates but lower than ED I rates.

Another point to note is the impact of applying ED on your potential financial aid package. Since you have to commit to attending if admitted, you won't have a chance to compare financial aid offers from other schools. Therefore, before applying ED (whether I or II), it's crucial to use each school's Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of your potential financial aid package to see if you can afford to attend.

Remember, though, these figures are just averages. They don't guarantee you'll get in by applying ED II. It's important to present a strong application that shows your fit with the school and your academic contributions.