<p>ED is binding and you clearly aren’t sure. Apply to a range of schools (including Wellesley) and make up your mind once you have admissions in hand. Don’t be panicked into applying ED if you are not rock solid certain, which you clearly are not. Forget what others around you are doing – just because a lot of your fellow students are going ED to some schools does not mean you have to! (And I say this as the parent of a D who did not apply ED anyplace two years ago, and got in everyplace she applied, including U of Chicago, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, and 5 other schools). You should strongly consider an EA or rolling admission application someplace (or two) – it takes a lot of pressure off to get an admission in hand, even if it is not to a favorite school. But it seems like you have a lot of (valid for you, I think) doubts about Wellesley to commit ED.</p>
<p>We found accepted student visits to be quite revealing and helpful in the decision process, too. Although my D had visited every college on her list for a day visit prior to applying, and thought she knew her “ranking” of preference going into accepted student days, a full 24 hours on campus of her top 3 choices changed her mind. Her top 2 choices did not really shine in the accepted students process, and her 3rd choice rose to the top. She is now a very happy sophomore at what was her 3rd choice going into the visits. So… unless you are completely certain, don’t apply ED anyplace.</p>