New here. Son needs help figuring out what colleges are considered Reach or Safety

But applying ED, which is binding, does become problematic…

The scenario stated in the above post fine, but the ED binding contract did not play a role. Presently my daughter is trying to decide between usna (February appointment) and nrotc Mit (EA). Since neither are binding, she can choose.

It becomes problematic in a case such as this…if accepted ED to a school in December, you must withdraw all other applications. If you really want an academy, you’re out of luck because you are in a binding contract to attend the ED school.

Students who are interested in an academy are a different breed. They are typically not willing to risk not going to an academy in hopes of ED elsewhere. If the academy is truly a focus I suggest not applying ED elsewhere. (Yes, you could probably get out of it, but honor is a big thing at the academies). Only the original poster can decide how important an appointment is.