Question about American University's Early Decision

Hi, I'm thinking about applying to American University through early decision. What are the benefits of doing so, and is it a binding agreement? Any advice would be appreciated!

Applying Early Decision (ED) to American University offers several benefits. The most notable advantage is the increased chance of acceptance. When you apply ED, the applicant pool is generally smaller than in regular decision, which can work in your favor. Additionally, applying ED shows the university that it’s your top choice and you're committed to attending, which helps their yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who end up enrolling).

However, Early Decision is indeeda binding agreement. This means that if you are accepted, you are obligated to enroll at American University and withdraw all other college applications. So, before applying ED, ensure that American University is genuinely your top choice and that you are prepared to commit to attending if admitted.

If you're not 100% sure about committing to American University, the admissions boost won’t be worth it. In this case, applying Regular Decision would make more sense, as you then have more time to learn about American, compare it to your other options, and ultimately choose the institution that’s best for you academically and personally.

In summary, applying Early Decision can be beneficial if you're certain that American University is your first choice, but since it's a binding agreement, you’ll want to weigh your options carefully before making a decision. Best of luck with your application to American!