I’ve never heard of this before but maybe it’s a thing I just didn’t know about? Or is it a new thing? I just heard SCU sent this offer out to RD applicants to switch to binding ED and the deadline is supposedly today (March 12). My 2024 grad didn’t get that offer when she applied to SCU. This late in the game…that’s a bold move on their part. I mean I assume RD is coming out imminently. But I’ll bet it works for them to improve yield in some cases. Do any other schools do this?
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That’s a new one for me! Although ED 0 at U of Chicago was new to me too!
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Reed is also doing the same this year. I think this might be the first time these schools are doing this, at least this late…well past ED2 decision notification.
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Probably helps grab kids who shot higher in their minds and didn’t get in….they are hoping these kids are name brand focused and SCU is a name that the family thinks has some value vs. maybe other options that family has.
U Chicago, as noted above by another poster, offers 3 rounds of ED (ED-0, ED-1, & ED-2).
SCU has long tried to shift RD applicants to ED applicants. I remember my daughter got several emails from them when she applied - I think it was ED2 not ED3, but they were really “enthusiastic” (aggressive?) in trying to get applicants into the ED pool. I imagine this is a yield protection strategy?
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I kind of feel like the ‘early’ aspect of early decision has long since passed 
Probably should call it something else- but I am sure there are some legalities involved with creating a whole new binding admission group so just easier to use the known terminology?
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That’s why I’m wondering - maybe someone applied to a USC like or UC and didn’t get in or another Jesuit on the East Coast didn’t get in and their option is what the parent deems a “lesser” school - and that’s who they want to grab.
And lucky for them, they’ll be the rich that will fall for this trick. Heaven forbid their kid have to go to Colorado State or Arizona State or UCM.
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Many schools play this game of getting deferred EA students and/or RD applicants to switch their apps into ED2. What’s notable about Reed and Santa Clara this year is the date/offering another ED round after ED2 admits already went out.
Separately, I’ll say (again LOL) when the DOJ sued NACAC saying their code of ethics was anti-competitive, that led NACAC to rework their guidelines which now really have no teeth. This lack of oversight has led to some practices that in the past were against the ‘rules’. That’s why we have expanding rounds of admission, spiffs for applying ED (merit scholarships/early registration/preferred housing and the like), enrollment deadlines before May 1, etc. etc. I could go on but I’ll stop there!
No kidding. I guess it reflects a certain realism about the REAL deal with ED, but the apparent fiction that you are binding yourself in exchange for them reviewing your application a lot sooner obviously no longer applies.
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I think I prefer the Bennington model where if you’re unhappy after all the decisions are in THEN you can apply to them.
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That, and quite possibly a higher chance of admission.
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IMO this is brilliant (I hadn’t seen it, thanks for posting.)
Bennington likely never closed applications until well into the summer anyway. Now, the round has a name, and they are innovators!
The reality is most colleges are still taking apps, surprised to see more not employing this “late decision” round.
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Right, in the real world, I see some kids applying ED because it is their clear favorite and want to be done with the process if they can. I then see some other kids applying because they think it will give them some sort of admissions boost.
I have then seen a few schools caution there is no such boost, and then very few hint maybe there could be (this is distinct from non-binding rolling admissions situations, or EA which basically functions like rolling admissions–much more commonly those programs will say applying earlier can help). Most colleges with ED seem to just be silent on the subject of an admissions advantage, leaving their potential applicants free to speculate as they will.
But when in practice you take the “early” out of “Early Decision” . . . what else could it be at that point? They may still promise nothing, but the only plausible motivation would be kids thinking they will get a boost, right?
Agree this is notable because of how late it is. And interesting the Reed also did this. With ED0 at Chicago and rolling ED1 at WFU, they are giving preference to people who are super super eager to go. To throw out an ED3 round this late is definitely not picking off people who had SCU as a first choice. My kids go to a Catholic high school and tons of kids apply to Catholic schools. Top of the class often apply to ND or Georgetown or BC. Some get in but it’s always a crap shoot because of their low overall admit rates. Next hardest Catholic admit is Villanova and it’s tricky because they have a super high ED admit rate (>50%) and a pretty low admit rate for EA and RD (about 20%) so for the top students who try for ND/Gtown/BC Villanova RD is not a sure thing so Santa Clara is sort of their safety but they rarely go. For those who are very good students but maybe not top 10 percent they may reach for Villanova and have with Santa Clara and LMU as targets. This ED3 is a new twist that surely helps Santa Clara with yield on those students.
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Agreed about applicants assuming their is a boost. I can see this ploy working on kids who haven’t gotten an acceptance yet and are starting to panic. And the college gets a better handle on their yield.
Wait, what? Some schools have non-ED enrollment deadlines before May 1?
Yes. Happening primarily in theater, music theater, and nursing.
This happened to our kid who applied to SCU 4 years ago so definitely not new - I’m sure the admissions piece is more complicated for smaller schools like SCU, but it made me feel like they really don’t have a good handle on their stats and who will eventually commit.
I think it’s a money grab. You’re only doing this if you can afford it - and they’re likely only accepting you if you have money.
They are using FUUD - fear, uncertainty and doubt.
It’s an old marketing trick.
I didn’t get into a real school - I’ll “settle” for what’s a great name.
I think they know exactly what they’re doing.
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