Weighing ED II at Wash U

I'm on the fence about applying ED II to Wash U. Does anyone have insights on whether going ED II to Wash U offers a significant advantage?

Applying Early Decision, whether it's ED I or ED II, does generally increase your chances of admission. This is particularly true at selective institutions like Wash U, which tend to fill a substantial portion of their class through Early Decision. The exact numbers can fluctuate from year to year and are not always publicly available, but it's generally reasonable to estimate that applying ED can result in a considerably higher acceptance rate compared to applying Regular Decision.

However, with this said, it’s important to note that the student profile strength also plays a massive role in admissions decisions. If you just meet the minimum requirements to apply or are noticeably below the average admitted student profile, applying ED II may not provide enough of a boost to secure admission. If, however, your academic credentials align closely with or exceed those of typically admitted students, applying ED II could offer an edge.

One critical factor you should definitely consider is that Early Decision II, like Early Decision I, is a binding agreement. By applying ED II, you're committing to attend Wash U if offered admission. So before you decide to apply ED II, make sure you are 100% certain that Washington University in St. Louis is your top choice and that you would be happy attending, regardless of the financial aid package offered. I would also recommend using their net price calculator to get an estimate of what your financial aid package might be.

I hope this helps you make an informed decision about applying ED II to Wash U. Good luck on your journey!