Brown ED vs Regular Decision - Pros and Cons?

Hey everyone! I'm looking into applying to Brown University and I'm debating whether I should apply Early Decision or Regular Decision. Can you guys help me weigh the pros and cons of both? Also, what's the acceptance rate difference between the two rounds?

Hey there! The decision to apply Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD) to Brown can be a tough one, but I'm happy to help you weigh the pros and cons. Let's break it down:

Pros of applying Early Decision:

1. Higher acceptance rate: The acceptance rate for ED is generally higher than RD. In the 2022-23 admissions cycle, Brown's ED acceptance rate 13%, whereas its overall acceptance rate that year was 5.1%. Bear in mind that the overall rate includes the ED rate within it, but applying ED can give you a bit of an edge in the admissions process.

2. Demonstrated interest: By applying ED, you are showing the admissions team that Brown is your top choice. This can help convey how much you value the school and are committed to attending if accepted.

3. Early results: You will receive your admission decision earlier (typically in mid-December) than RD applicants (usually by early April). If you are accepted, it can alleviate stress earlier in the application cycle, and you won't need to apply to as many schools.

Cons of applying Early Decision:

1. Binding commitment: ED is a binding agreement, which means that if you are admitted, you are expected to enroll at Brown and withdraw all other applications. This might be a disadvantage if you are unsure about your financial aid package or still want to compare offers.

2. Limited time for application improvement: If you think your application could benefit from an additional semester of grades or new extracurricular achievements, applying ED might not give you enough time to improve your application compared to RD.

3. Less time to finalize application: ED deadlines are usually in early November, which leaves less time to polish your essays and application compared to RD (typically due in early January).

Ultimately, the decision to apply ED or RD depends on your personal situation and how confident you are in Brown being your top-choice school where you'd be happy to commit. If you are sure that Brown is your dream school and you won't have any regrets, applying ED could give you a slight advantage in the admissions process. However, if you want to keep your options open, explore other schools, or think you could strengthen your application further, RD might be a better choice. Good luck with your applications!