EA or ED Admission Rates—Which is Higher?

I'm trying to decide between Early Action and Early Decision for some of my top choice schools. Do Early Decision admission rates usually differ from Early Action? Which one has a higher chance of getting accepted? Thanks in advance!

Both Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) admissions tend to have higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision, but there are some key differences between the two. ED admission rates are generally higher than EA rates. This is because when you apply ED, you're committing to attend the school if accepted, which increases the college's yield (the percentage of accepted students who enroll). Colleges prefer higher yield rates, so applying ED can give you an advantage.

On average, applying ED results in a 1.6x or 60% increase in your chances of admission to highly selective schools, compared to applying during the regular cycle. The boost is less pronounced for less selective schools, but is still significant. For instance, if your chances were 4% before applying ED, they would increase to around 6.4%. EA also offers an advantage in terms of acceptance rates, but it's typically smaller because it's not a binding commitment.

However, it's important to consider your unique circumstances when choosing between EA and ED. If you are absolutely certain that a particular school is your top choice, applying ED might be the best option, as you'll potentially have higher chances of getting in. On the other hand, if you're still considering multiple schools and require more flexibility (e.g., comparing financial aid packages or not ready to commit to a single institution), then EA may be a better choice.

Ultimately, it's crucial to evaluate your personal preferences and admissions strategy before selecting EA or ED. While ED often has higher acceptance rates, you should only go that route if you're sure about committing to that specific college and have done thorough research on its offerings and financial aid possibilities.