Brown University ED Acceptance Rate vs RD Acceptance Rate

Hey everyone, I'm considering applying to Brown University Early Decision. I'm curious if anyone knows the difference between their ED and RD acceptance rates? Does applying ED give you a noticeable advantage? Thanks in advance!

Hello! There's definitely a difference between Brown University's Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rates. Generally, applying ED to a college does give you an edge over RD applicants because it demonstrates your complete commitment to attending that specific school if you get accepted. That both gives admissions officers confidence that you'll be ready to start contributing to their campus community right away, and helps the school's yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who ultimately enroll).

Although exact numbers can vary each year, lately, Brown' RD acceptance rate has dipped to about 5%, while the ED rate has been around 15%. Most selective colleges have similar numbers, with ED acceptance rates being quite a bit higher than RD rates (although still competitive).

Applying ED can increase your chances of admission, but keep in mind that this decision is binding, so if you are accepted, you will be expected to enroll. Be sure that Brown is absolutely your top choice before committing to an ED application, as the admissions boost isn't worth it if you think you'll regret not having the opportunity to explore other schools. But, of course, Brown is a fantastic option, so it won't be surprising if you do ultimately determine ED is right for you! Good luck with your decision and your application!