But perhaps they are trying to determine which “regular” action applicants (particularly “overqualified” ones) have SCU as their top remaining choice after being rejected in earlier EA/ED at other schools.
“Overqualified” applicants who convert to ED3 can be admitted and will matriculate, while those who do not convert to ED3 can be assumed to be using SCU as a “safety” behind other schools and are therefore more likely to be waitlisted.
And to the extent there are such applicants who truly have SCU as their remaining top choice, and they want to effectively communicate that to SCU, and they don’t need to compare aid offers before making a responsible decision, that of course is fine.
They may have received aid offers from other school already and be able to compare them before deciding whether to ED3. No doubt the school is doing it for their own benefit, but applicants also have more information now than they did last fall.
Thank you for pointing this out. It helps going into next admission season with a kid who has SCU EA on the list, but not as a first choice. The question may be one of timing. I would anticipate not having results from all schools back by a March 12 “ED3” deadline.
I would note that, on my end with a practice account, in Common App, it appears that SCU’s app is still open for new submissions at the moment (March 13). I wonder how soft or hard this “ED3” March 12 deadline is, though RD results are probably expected next week.
Many schools will extend, even past May 1, regardless of published dates.
SCU isn’t considered top tier but for many not top tier students, it is a sizable name - with strength especially in business. So they have leverage vs. say a St. Mary’s or USD or Gonzaga and maybe even a U Denver.
They only give need aid to about 1/3 of kids - so they are a school for the wealthy - and their aid packages are less than other top schools. About 1/8 get merit averaging about $16K.
The non-ED yield per 24/25 CDS is a tad less than 13% - so very low.
That’s a good point, although what I was thinking is presumably they wouldn’t know their actual SCU offer yet (in addition to any other offers not yet notified).
Yes for sure you are right. They would be accepting ED3 with less than full information, but likely have significantly more information than they did last fall. I studied deciionmaking under uncertainty in grad school and find the whole thought process kind of fascinating.
I did too! Great prep for advising kids applying to selective colleges . . . .
I would NOT be surprised if the result is that everyone is encouraged to do the Monty Hall switch. Always take what’s behind door number 3!