<p>When my D met with the Director of Admissions (through a legacy interview), he indicated that ED is not necessarily the advantage that the percentages indicate. He mentioned that quite of large number of the ED pool are recruited athletes (reflective of the overall interest in athletics among the student body generally). He also said that the quality of the ED admits (including the athletes) is really, really high so these people would likely have been admitted RD anyway. He also said that my D (whose tests scores were marginal for Williams - 32 ACT and not mid 700s for SAT IIs and this is what he focused on most along with submitting a really strong arts supplement which could make a difference) would not have a significant advantage applying ED. Basically, applying ED / demonstrating interest is not going to make up for any other weakness in the application and being a legacy isn’t all that much of a tip. D ended up applying RD but was not admitted. I get the impression that most of the ED admits are just really stand outs in some way or another – they all make the academic grade and also have something else to offer – diversity, arts, sports, etc.</p>