I don’t mean to be argumentative, but @DexterTom it is about you and whether you can get in. What’s the point of applying ED to a school where you have little chance, won’t be happy with the academic fit, or can’t afford to attend?
For instance, you feel you must apply ED. ED admissions rates are much higher than RD rates at these schools, but do you know why? All recruited athletes, a class that can have a north of 90% acceptance rate, are heavily encouraged to apply ED, as are legacies, who usually receive preferential treatment only in the ED round. Students with little to no financial need are also over represented in the ED pool. Take those factors into account and the ED bump becomes negligible.
The advice we would give you if you’re a 1580 SAT 4.0 UW GPA student is different from the advice we’d give you if you’re a 3.6 student with a 1380.
In any case, I wish you the best in your journey. Colby’s a great school. 