Okay, so is Early Decision actually worth it?

[warblersrule]

<p>

@Hanna

I don’t agree with this. Some acknowledge that ED is a tip factor. If any are denying it, I don’t think I believe them. ED applicants are valuable both for their enthusiasm and their enrollment-management advantages. If you have a clear first choice and don’t need FA, you definitely should apply ED.

Ditto this. Although a few colleges may not confer an advantage to ED applicants, many colleges will readily admit it provides a boost that varies from slight to significant. </p>

<p>A few quotes from admissions websites:</p>

<p>

@Cornell

Because enthusiasm for Cornell is considered a plus, early-decision applicants stand a better chance of gaining admission.

@Penn

For those applicants who have already decided that the University of Pennsylvania is their first college choice and who agree to matriculate if accepted, we encourage application under the Early Decision Plan. Children of alumni also receive some preference under this plan.

@Northwestern

Applicants who choose Early Decision send a strong, positive message to Northwestern. Given their high level of interest and overall academic and personal strength, the rate of admission for our Early Decision applicants is higher than our overall admit rate.

@Duke

There is a slight advantage in the admissions process to applying Early Decision.

@Dartmouth

There is a small statistical advantage to applying to Dartmouth under the Early Decision plan, but the advantage is not so great that it should be the “driving force” behind an applicant’s decision to apply early.

@Princeton

We take into account that students who apply early have carefully considered the “match” they feel with Princeton. <a href=“From%20when%20Princeton%20had%20ED.”>color=red</a>[/color]

@Yale

Early Decision candidates are evaluated…with the understanding that Yale is the student’s first choice. <a href=“From%20when%20Yale%20had%20ED.”>color=red</a>[/color]

@Johns Hopkins

Your commitment to Hopkins as an Early Decision candidate is an important factor in our decision.

</p>

<p>Interestingly, some of these have since vanished from the websites since I last posted them.</p>