Should I apply to a backup school regular decision after being deferred from ED1?

I got deferred from my ED1 school and I'm wondering if it makes sense to apply to a backup school through regular decision. Is this a common strategy, and could it improve my chances overall?

It's absolutely a common and effective strategy to apply to backup schools regular decision after being deferred EDI. Being deferred doesn't mean you're rejected—it just means your application will be reconsidered during the regular decision round. However, it's prudent to have backup options considering the generally higher competitiveness and lower acceptance rate of regular decision rounds, particularly at highly selective schools.

Applying to backup schools can not only give you some peace of mind, but in the worst-case scenario, if you were to be rejected from your EDI school, you'd then have other options ready. Remember that it's important that your backup schools are ones that you would genuinely be happy attending. One should never bank solely on an early decision application because the process is uncertain and multi-faceted.

For example, let's say that a student was deferred from Dartmouth in EDI, and they're now preparing applications to a variety of schools, including 'match' options like the University of Wisconsin-Madison and 'safety' options like their state school. If they're accepted to Dartmouth in regular decision, great! They have their dream school. If not, they've laid the groundwork for other potential acceptances, and ensured they'll have a school to attend.

So, yes, applying to other schools regular decision after an EDI deferral is a good move. It ensures you have options come spring and aren't left scrambling to find a place to apply as deadlines approach.