There is one other type of student that is going to lose with this move and unfortunately we fall into this category. There are some combined state BS/MD programs that make their decisions in early March but which require you to submit applications by November. These programs are unique and extremely competitive.
Anybody applying to these programs cannot apply either ED or Ed2 to Chicago. When EA was the only early option, such a student had a fighting chance to get into Chicago in case they were also applying to these programs but did not get in. Now they stand little chance of admission because I expect the EA admit rate to be dismal. Chicago would have been our top pick but now there is little chance of making it work.
We would have been full pay so would have preferred REA, but understand that the ED/ED2 route is much more financially rewarding for the school. Oh well c’est la vie.