Hey guys,
among ED1, ED2, and EA, which has the highest acceptance rate?
and if you get in ED1, then you can’t go to your ED2 school right?
please let me know!!!
It depends on the school, however typically ED1 has the highest acceptance rate because it shows you’re very committed to the school. You’re only allowed to apply ED2 to a school if you get rejected from your ED1 school. You’ll typically have a chunk of time between when ED1 results are released and ED2 applications are due. Early Action is also great. It’s not binding and if you get into your ED school, you have to pull your application. Only apply Early Decision if you know that you want to go to that school over all others. If you’re admitted, you have to attend. Also, make sure your family can afford the school at its full price. You don’t get to weigh financial aid options with ED. Good luck!
Not all schools offer all those options, so hard to compare. Remember the stats might not show the whole story as a lot of athletes use ED and ED2, and the group each is in might change because of the coach’s priorities and the decisions of other recruits.
There are many posts on this on CC and many descriptions of the different plans on the internet. Not every school offers every plan. In short
ED or Early Decision
–This is a plan whereby an applicant commits to attend the school if accepted and the school is affordable. This requires a contract to be signed by the applicant, guidance counselor, and applicant’s parents, An ED application should not be taken lightly. If an applicant is accepted under an ED plan and the school is affordable then the applicant is obligated to pull all other applications immediately.
–ED1 and ED2 relate to the timing of when the application is due and when the answer is given.
–At many colleges ED does provide a bump in admissions – but IMO it should only be utilized when one college is the applicant’s absolute positive top choice and appears affordable (run the net price calculator).
–So in your scenario if an applicant gets in ED1 then he/she must withdraw all other applications and would not be able to apply ED2 elsewhere. If the ED1 school is unaffordable the applicant must decline the school right away and won’t have it as an option down the road.
EA or Early Action
- This is a non-binding plan where an applicant applies early and gets a reply early.
–There is generally not a bump in admissions as there is no commitment on the part of the applicant to attend. In fact (at least in my experience) it is not unusual for all but the very top candidates to get deferred from EA plans.
–Some college have variations on EA such as SCEA (Single choice early action which prohibits an applicant from applying early elsewhere).
Bottom line – read the descriptions of each college’s different plans carefully before you submit the application.
Thanks!