<p>Well… I don’t have the answer, but what I have noticed is that shortly after ED application deadlines passed, a lot of schools released their applicant numbers. And, for example, Dartmouth released it as 12.5% increase over last year. However, when the decisions were made their press release said it was a 9%(?) increase. </p>
<p>One explanation: People send in pre-applications with their fees and then something comes up or changes, etc and they don’t actually send in a completed application. Certainly not saying that’s the case here, but our house received A LOT of mail this fall about not dismissing a school based on the economic climate etc etc. So, I think there was already some expectation that numbers might be slightly down this year.</p>
<p>And when it comes to ED especially, I would guess if you are applying for financial aid, for example, you’d be more apt to apply RD to makes sure you can compare offers of aid?</p>