Brown University Early Decision pros and cons?

Hi all, I'm considering applying Early Decision to Brown for this fall. What are the pros and cons of applying ED to Brown University? Any advice is appreciated!

Pros of Applying Early Decision to Brown:

1. Higher acceptance rate: Applying ED generally increases your chances of admission compared to Regular Decision (RD). Brown, like many other selective schools, usually admits a higher percentage of applicants during the ED round, as students are committing to attending if accepted, which both shows a high level of enthusiasm about the school and helps Brown's yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who ultimately enroll).

2. Financial aid considerations: Brown is a need-blind institution and meets 100% of demonstrated need. However, if you are accepted ED but receive an insufficient financial aid package, you have the option to appeal or be released from the ED binding agreement without penalty. So, you don't need to worry about locking yourself in to an unreasonable financial commitment if you apply ED.

3. Reduced stress: Being admitted to Brown ED means you can stop worrying about college applications earlier in the year. It allows you to focus on finishing high school without the added stress of RD deadlines.

Cons of Applying Early Decision to Brown:

1. Binding commitment: ED is a binding program, so if you're admitted, you must enroll at Brown and withdraw applications submitted to other schools. Make sure you feel comfortable choosing Brown over any other school before applying ED.

2. Less time to strengthen your application: The ED deadline is earlier than the RD one, meaning you have less time to improve your application with, for example, a higher SAT or ACT score. If you need more time to work on your application, including polishing your essays and identifying recommenders, ED might not be the best choice.

In conclusion, carefully consider the pros and cons as they relate to your specific situation before ultimately deciding to apply ED to Brown. It's important to be confident in your choice and understand the commitment you're making if admitted.

If Brown is undeniably your top choice and you've thoroughly done your research, though, applying ED could be a strategic and exciting decision! Best of luck!