ED vs RD Acceptance Rates?

Hey folks! Does anyone have any insight on the differences between Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rates for various schools? Do colleges typically admit a larger percentage of students during ED? I'm trying to strategize my application process.

Hey! You're asking a question many students consider when planning their application process. Early Decision (ED) acceptance rates tend to be higher than Regular Decision (RD) rates at most selective schools. This difference is mainly because ED is a binding commitment, which means if you're accepted, you have to attend that school. This helps the school in a few ways ways: it improves their yield rate (the percentage of admitted students who enroll); it locks in high-quality students early; and it gives them confidence that those students are exceptionally eager about attending, since they are willing to eliminate all their other options if they are accepted.

On average, applying ED can result in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to highly selective schools. Let's say your chances before choosing to apply early were 4%; that would bump your chances up to 6.4%, which is a pretty meaningful increase of about 2.4 extra percentage points. The benefit becomes less pronounced the less selective the school is, but there is pretty much always at least a slight boost.

However, this doesn't mean every ED applicant has an easier time. The ED applicant pool can be very strong, with many highly qualified students applying. It's also important to consider the financial implications of ED. Although receiving an insufficient financial aid package is one of the few reasons you are allowed to break the binding ED commitment, that process can be stressful, and disappointing as you have to turn down your dream school after being accepted. If you feel that you’ll need to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools, ED might not be the best choice for you.

That being said, if you have a clear top-choice school and you're confident that it's the right fit academically, personally, and financially, applying ED could be a great move. Just make sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision. Good luck with your applications!