Early Admission vs. Regular Decision Dilemma

How do you decide between early admission and regular decision? I feel like early might show more commitment, but I don't want to rush into anything. Interested in pros and cons from personal experiences!

Choosing between applying Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD) really depends on your individual circumstances, preferences, and the schools in question.

One clear pro of ED is that it can statistically boost your chances of admission, with the extent varying between schools. On average, applying ED can result in about a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to highly selective schools. The rationale behind this boost is that colleges value students who demonstrate a strong commitment to attending, which applying ED signifies.

Additionally, getting admitted ED means that your college application process concludes earlier, which can alleviate a lot of stress during senior year. However, a potential con is that ED is binding, which means if you're admitted you generally must attend unless the financial aid package is inadequate. This could limit your options, especially if you're not 100% sure about the school or have multiple top choices. It's also vital to consider the potential financial implications, as some colleges are need-blind and meet full demonstrated financial need, providing generous aid, while others don't.

On the other hand, applying RD allows more flexibility and gives you more time to get your application to be as strong as possible. The application deadline is typically a few months after the ED deadline, so you might have more time to improve your grades, retake standardized tests, or add more extracurricular activities. You'll also have the ability to compare acceptances and financial aid offers from multiple colleges before you have to make your choice on May 1.

Remember, applying ED should be a thought-through decision. If you have a clear first-choice where you would undoubtedly enroll if accepted, and you and your family are comfortable with the financial commitment, applying ED can be a great choice. But, if you're not entirely sure or might want to compare financial aid, applying RD might be a better strategy.