Comparing Early vs Regular Decision at Cornell: Is Early Better?

As a junior very interested in Cornell for next applications cycle, I'm weighing my options between early and regular decision. Is applying early decision a better strategy in terms of acceptance rates? What do students who applied early or regular think?

The decision between applying early decision (ED) vs regular decision (RD) is a significant one and depends highly on personal circumstances and how prepared your application is. In terms of acceptance rates, on average across many colleges, the ED acceptance rate is often higher than RD.

Specifically for Cornell, according to their admissions data, the ED acceptance rate has generally been higher than the RD acceptance rate (17.5% vs. under 8% for the 2023-2024 cycle). This trend is generally because the students who apply early are demonstrating a strong interest in attending that specific school, something that colleges value. Also, just like getting in early gives students peace of mind, accepting students early means schools know certain spots in the class will be filled, and by whom, and can then start preparing to welcome the incoming freshmen to campus.

However, it's crucial to take into account that those applying ED generally represent a self-selected group of applicants who are confident in their achievements thus far, and so are likely to be competitive in Cornell's admissions process. Since you can only apply to one school ED, the applications Cornell receives during this round are usually exceptionally polished, which should also be taken into account when evaluating the data.

But, remember that ED is a binding agreement - if you're accepted, you're expected to attend (unless the financial aid package is not sufficient), so make sure that Cornell is absolutely your top choice. Getting in matters, of course, but not as much as making sure you choose the school that's truly the best fit for you.

Additionally, financial aid is another important consideration. If you feel that comparing financial aid offers from multiple institutions is important for your family, then regular decision may be the better option since ED doesn't allow this. While an insufficient financial aid package is one of the few reasons you are allowed to break your binding ED agreement, that process can be complex, as well as heartbreaking, since you need to tell your dream school no after getting in. So, ideally you'd avoid needing to go down this path.

Feedback from previous applicants can vary greatly. From what I've observed, students who applied early and were admitted usually find their early decision satisfying because it allows them to secure a spot at their top-choice school earlier in the school year. However, some students who applied in the RD round and got accepted found the additional time beneficial for improving their application, and appreciated the opportunity to attend accepted students' weekends and other events that helped them make a more informed decision.

So, while it's true that applying ED can indeed provide an "edge," you'll still want to thoroughly evaluate if Cornell fits your academic and personal goals, and whether you can have your application ready and polished for the earlier deadline. The early decision to apply should ideally stem from your confident interest in Cornell, rather than simply strategic reasons.

Finally, regardless of when you end up applying to Cornell, if you want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-cornell-university-essays/. The essays are a great opportunity to set yourself apart in a competitive applicant pool by showcasing what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

Good luck with your college process!