Harvard ED vs UChicago ED

Data10
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:32:50 +0000

collegeperson37:

What would be a smarter decision if a student can afford both and plans on applying to both in some round of decisions?

Given that you plan on applying to both, you shouldn’t apply to Chicago ED 1. ED is binding. If you are accepted ED to Chicago, you are expected to commit and not apply to Harvard in RD. This leaves the following options:

Harvard SCEA, Chicago ED 2
Harvard SCEA, Chicago RD
Chicago EA, Harvard RD
Harvard, RD, Chicago RD

You probably have the best chance of admission with the first option (Harvard SCEA + Chicago ED 2). However, again ED is binding, so if you want to apply to other schools besides just Harvard and Chicago, then you might instead choose the 2nd option (Harvard SCEA + Chicago RD). If Chicago is first choice, but you also want to apply to Harvard, then 3rd option might be a good fit (Chicago EA + Harvard RD). If for some reason you expect your application to be much stronger in the RD round than the early round, then the 4th option might be best (Harvard RD + Chicago RD).