That was a good thread @Corinthian and I agree with the general conclusion that ED2 is mostly for the benefit of the college. One of the places it might give an edge to a student would be at a yield-sensitive school (not a Tufts, Vandy, or Pomona) where given two similar applicants, admissions would rather pick a sure matriculant ED2 than an RD who has a <30% chance of accepting their offer.