Does applying to Davidson as Early Decision II improve my chances?

I'm trying to gauge my chances of getting into Davidson if I apply for Early Decision II. Does ED II give a notable advantage over Regular Decision, and how does it compare with ED I?

There is indeed an overall advantage to applying early decision (ED) to many colleges, including Davidson. Typically, colleges offer two rounds of early decision: ED I and ED II, with ED I having a deadline typically in November and ED II having a deadline usually in January.

The primary difference between the two early decision rounds is the application deadline and when you will hear back from the college about your decision. Early Decision II offers students who decide later that Davidson is their first choice the ability to indicate that commitment.

Like Early Decision I, Early Decision II applicants are committing to attend Davidson if accepted, so the admissions committee knows that they don't need to be concerned about yield for those students. This can sometimes result in a higher acceptance rate for ED applicants compared to regular decision.

One point to note, however, is that the advantage offered by applying ED may be less pronounced in ED II compared to ED I, since there are fewer available spots by the time the ED II review happens. However, this shouldn't dissuade you from applying ED II if Davidson is your top choice, and you've missed the ED I deadline.

While applying ED II might not offer as significant a boost as some other factors (like having a well-rounded application showcasing your fit with the school), it certainly can help to demonstrate your strong interest in attending Davidson. Just ensure that this is truly where you want to go since, apart from a few exceptions, an ED acceptance is binding.