Dartmouth ED 2: Is it possible?

I know that some schools offer ED 2, but I'm not sure if this is the case for Dartmouth. Does Dartmouth have an ED 2 option and what are the benefits of applying ED2 vs. ED1, if they offer it?

Dartmouth College does not offer an Early Decision 2 (ED2) application option. They only have a single Early Decision (ED1) round alongside their Regular Decision (RD) round. The deadline for the ED1 application is typically November 1st, while the deadline for the RD application is generally January 2nd.

The main benefit of applying Early Decision is the potential boost in admission chances, as these applicants often demonstrate a strong commitment to that specific school. On average, applying ED can result in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to super selective schools, though this can vary by school and circumstance. It's important to remember that Early Decision is a binding agreement, so only consider applying ED if you are certain that Dartmouth is your top-choice school and financial aid is not a major concern.

Since Dartmouth does not offer an ED2 option, you might want to consider other schools with ED2 options if you're looking for that second chance to apply early while having more time to perfect your application. The benefits of ED2 compared to ED1 are mostly time-related: you have additional time to improve your application, complete essays, gather recommendation letters, and increase your standardized test scores (if applicable). However, applying ED2 is also binding, so make sure you're committed to attending that particular school if you choose to apply through this option.

If you're set on Dartmouth, your options are limited to ED1 or RD. Good luck with your applications!