Brown University's Early Decision policies

I am planning on applying to Brown University through their Early Decision (ED) program. Could someone please explain how the ED program works at Brown, and what advantages, if any, it has in terms of acceptance rates?

Brown University's Early Decision (ED) program allows students to apply by an earlier deadline (typically November 1st) and receive a decision earlier than the Regular Decision timeline, usually in mid-December. It follows the same application process as Regular Decision, but with the key distinction that if you are accepted through Early Decision, you are committed to attending Brown and expected to withdraw your applications to other schools.

The main advantage of applying ED to Brown is the potential boost in acceptance rates. Brown, like many other selective schools, tends to admit a higher percentage of students through their ED program compared to the Regular Decision pool. This is because colleges appreciate the commitment that a student shows by applying ED, as it helps in making the college's incoming class predictable and maintaining a high yield rate.

While I don't have exact numbers, generally speaking, applying ED can result in a 1.6x higher acceptance rate than for students who apply through Regular Decision. Remember, applying ED is a significant commitment, and you should only apply through this program if Brown is your top-choice school and you are confident that you are ready to make a binding decision.

However, keep in mind that applying ED doesn't guarantee you admission. In fact, many highly competitive applicants are still denied or deferred to the Regular Decision round. Just like in Regular Decision, your application will be evaluated holistically, considering multiple factors such as your academic background, extracurricular involvement, essays, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated interest.

Financial aid is another important component to consider, as it can be difficult for some students to commit to a college before comparing financial aid offers from multiple institutions. Brown is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for students who apply through ED, the same as those who apply through Regular Decision. But if you think the financial aid package you receive might not be enough, you can reach out to Brown's financial aid office and discuss your situation. If you can prove that the financial aid offer isn't sufficient to cover your demonstrated need and you have explored all available options, you might be allowed to be released from the ED commitment. However, this is an exception rather than the rule, so make your decision to apply ED carefully keeping the financial aspect in mind.