Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Impact of applying Early Decision on admission chances

Hey everyone! I've been hearing a lot about Early Decision and that it might increase my chances of getting into my top-choice college. Can anyone confirm this? Is it a good idea to apply Early Decision?

9 months ago

Yes, applying Early Decision (ED) can indeed increase your chances of admission at your top-choice college, especially at selective schools. On average, applying ED results in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission at highly selective schools when controlling for profile strength. The benefit becomes less pronounced the less selective the school is. For example, if your chances before choosing to apply early were 4%, that would bump your chances up to 6.4%, which is a meaningful increase of about 2.4 extra percentage points. However, it's important to note that this can vary from school to school and is based on average data.

Applying ED is a binding agreement, which means that if you get accepted, you're obligated to attend the college (unless the financial aid offered doesn't meet your needs). In turn, colleges appreciate the certainty that comes with accepting ED applicants because it helps them predict their yield (the number of admitted students who enroll). This is why applying ED might boost your chances of getting in.

Before applying ED, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Financial Aid: Make sure to use the school's net price calculator to estimate your financial aid package. Since you're committed to attending if accepted, it's crucial to ensure that attending the college is financially feasible for you and your family.

2. College Fit: Only apply ED if you're confident that the school is the absolute best fit for you in terms of academics, campus life, and other factors. Once you're accepted ED, you can't apply to other colleges, so it's essential to be sure about your decision.

3. Application Readiness: Applying ED means earlier deadlines, usually in November. Make sure you have all application materials, including recommendations, essays, and transcripts, ready by the deadline.

If you've considered these factors and still believe the school is the right fit, applying ED can be a strategic move to increase your chances of admission. Good luck!

9 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.