Is applying ED/EA extremely competitive for selective schools?

GolfFather
Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:10:50 +0000

From an academic study:



OK, I’ll play.

There is a difference between capturing total data numbers and then applying that to one individual. There are many varied reasons contributing to the pile of numbers that may, or may not, apply to one specific individual.

From the study itself that you cited:

*”(The ED) benefit tends to be captured by students who are well off and well informed.

Early applicants at top schools are stronger than regular applicants.

Early applicants had higher SAT scores on average than regular applicants.”*

And, I didn’t see anywhere in the study that mentioned the non-numerical reasons why a larger portion of ED applicants get admitted, except this:

”Early applicants are attractive in ways that are not captured by our numerical measures.”

Exactly!

How many of the ED acceptances were athletes? How many were legacies? How many were rich and could pay the full load? How many were oboe players? How many were URM? And on and on and on.

I have not seen any evidence that for a specific named individual, one’s chances increases significantly simply based on the one factor alone of applying ED.