<p>smalllab–I don’t think that ED’s are up becuase more are applying and thinking that they are unable to afford it and just plan to back out of the contract. Instead, I think that many have been attracted by our on-going commitment to need-based financial aid with packaging that guarantees to meet 100% of need with mostly grant money (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents). I think that the public is worried that this is going to be a very uncertain admission year and they are hoping to get the process over with. They’ve heard that other some other schools are wavering in their commitment to financial aid so they are willing to commit to us without getting to comparison shop for aid packages. But the truth is that it is hard to know what everyone’s motivation might be. This is all conjecture on my part.</p>