How does switching from regular decision to early decision at Emory work?

I initially planned to apply regular decision but now I'm considering early decision for Emory. Can anyone explain if it's possible to switch after starting the regular decision process and what the steps might be?

If you haven't actually submitted your application yet, this process is extremely straightforward. All you need to do is change your "Preferred admission plan" in your application of choice from Regular Decision (RD) to Early Decision (ED). That's it!

If you have already submitted an RD application, you can still make the switch, but the process is a little more involved.

Firstly, you should alert the Office of Admission about your decision to switch from RD to ED. You could do this by sending them an email or calling them directly. Be sure to include your full name and your Common Application/Coalition Application ID in your email, or to have this information on hand if you're calling.

Next, you would need to fill and submit the Early Decision Agreement form. This form is available through the Common Application or Coalition Application. It's a statement that signifies you're committing to attend Emory if accepted under the ED plan. Importantly, this form needs to be signed by you, your school counselor, and your parents, acknowledging this commitment.

Finally, remember that once you apply Early Decision and are admitted, it is a binding commitment. You are required to withdraw all other applications and cannot apply to any other school's ED or EA programs. Check with your school counselor ahead of time to make sure this is the best decision for you, especially financially, as you can't compare financial aid offers if you apply ED.

Keep in mind that all of these steps need to be done before the ED deadline, which is usually earlier than the RD deadline. At Emory, the ED I deadline is November 1, so at this point you won't be able to switch to ED I, but fortunately Emory does also offer a second round of Early Decision, with a deadline of January 1, so that path would still be an option for you.

Remember, a switch to an early decision agreement might be beneficial since Emory, like many schools, tends to accept a higher percentage of ED applicants compared to RD applicants. However, it is a serious commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly. Best of luck with your decision!