<p>Theoretically, since some people apply in RD because they consider wustl their “backup” school, wouldn’t the EA pool be less competitive because the “smarter” kids apply in RD in order to avoid the binding aspect of EA?</p>
<p>Just wondering how that works and how a marginal/middle of the pool applicant should do in regards to EA or RD. I am fine with the binding part of EA.</p>
<p>If you’re POSITIVE you want to go to Wash U if accepted and don’t need to compare financial packages then I would suggest applying ED. However, if you aren’t okay with either of the previous factors than don’t. Don’t apply ED ONLY because you have a better chance of getting in, but because it’s your FAVORITE school and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else that you have a chance of getting into (IE. I guess I’d understand doing ED if you were between WUSTL ED and waiting for RD because your other top choice is Harvard, even if WUSTL is your second choice in this case).</p>
<p>I wouldn’t necessarily say that the “smarter” kids do RD, just the ones who are either on the fence about WashU or couldn’t deal with the binding aspect of ED for financial or other reasons. That being said, either pool is competitive although RD might be more so simply due to the fact that you are competing with a larger number and wider range of applicants.</p>
<p>As to which one you should do, it’s up to whether or not you love the school. Things I would do/consider:
If you haven’t visited do so but make sure to visit other schools so that you can compare.<br>
Can you picture spending 4 years at WashU?
Can you picture spending $50,000 a year on the school (given that you recieve no financial aid/scholarships)?<br>
Does your application need a boost that your senior year grades could give?</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I guess my grades could use a bit of a boost (3.85 UW w/ hardest courseload) but I could just report my current grades in EA anyways right? And we wouldn’t even be done w/ first semester finals for RD. And is the EA acceptance rate any higher than the RD one?</p>
<p>WashU does not offer Early Action. They offer Early Decision and that acceptance rate statistic is not available. It’s higher than RD, but the actual numbers are not reported.</p>
<p>But as was mentioned before, you can’t just apply ED because you think you have a better chance of getting in. You have to be sure that WashU is the school you love and want to go to. Then you worry about whether or not you will be accepted.</p>
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<p>Indeed, this is true for any school, not just WashU.</p>
<p>Apply ED (to any first choice school, not just WashU) if indeed it is your first choice, you would absolutely attend if admitted, you would rescind any and all other applications to any and all other schools, and financials are not an issue.</p>
<p>Conversely, if you are uncertain as to whether the school is your first choice, if you feel uncomfortable with the “must go” mandate, and financials are an issue, then ED to any school (WashU or any other) should not be part of your planning.</p>