ED I vs ED II: asking for a friend 😉

Hi everyone! A friend of mine is kinda stressed about deciding between Early Decision I and Early Decision II when applying to their top-choice college. Can you guys help explain the main differences between ED I and ED II, and what the advantages and drawbacks are for each? Much appreciated!

Hi there! It's understandable that your friend is feeling stressed since the decision between Early Decision (ED) I and ED II can be a bit confusing. Let me break down the main differences, advantages, and drawbacks of each option.

Early Decision I:

- Deadline: Generally around November 1st or 15th

- Decisions: Release in mid-December

- Advantages:

1. Early decision timeline, which shows a strong interest in the school

2. A boost in your chances of admission compared to Regular Decision because of the demonstrated commitment

3. If accepted, the college search is over, which can reduce stress for the remainder of senior year.

- Drawbacks:

1. Binding commitment, meaning your friend must be 100% certain about their top-choice school and attend if accepted

2. Can't compare financial aid offers from multiple schools, as you would with Regular Decision

3. The early deadline might rush some students, leading to weaker application materials

Early Decision II:

- Deadline: Generally around January 1st or 15th

- Decisions: Release in mid-February

- Advantages:

1. Slightly more time to polish application materials compared to ED I

2. Still has a boost in your chances of admission compared to Regular Decision because of the demonstrated commitment

3. If accepted, the college search is over, although a bit later than with ED I.

- Drawbacks:

1. Binding commitment, similar to ED I, so your friend must be sure about the chosen school

2. Can't compare financial aid offers from multiple schools, as you would with Regular Decision

3. The admit rates can be slightly lower compared to ED I, but still higher than Regular Decision

Ultimately, your friend should consider whether they're fully committed to their top-choice college and if they feel comfortable with the binding commitment. If they need more time to work on their application, ED II might be a better option, but keep in mind that the slight advantage in the admissions process decreases slightly with ED II compared to ED I. Good luck to your friend in their college application journey!