There are many nationally ranked universities that do not use EA. You may apply ED, EDII, or RD. ED and EDII is about yield. Other than being notified earlier by applying EA, without any requirement to commit, what is the difference between EA and RD? The student still gets to shop around. Thus, be on the look out for a considerable amount of “deferrals” if there is an increase in the amount of EA applicants as suggested on this board.
Here is UM’s statistics, based upon years 2016 and 2017 (taken from College Board, Big Future):
Applicants: 30,634
Admitted: 10,936
Enrolled: 2,211
This is approximately a 20% yield. By increasing admissions through ED and EDII, the amount of students needing to be admitted EA or RD is reduced, which drives up yield.
Of the above statistics:
ED Applicants: 954
ED Acceptance: 609
Now, with UM’s campaign for students to select EDII, and you see this at other private universities, what if the EDII pool goes to 900, 1,000, 1,300, 1,800. 2,200? The amount needing to be accepted through EA and RD drops significantly, assuming at least 50% or more of the EDII applicants are accepted. I would think, if any EA acceptances go out (I think at the same time as EDII), the tally will first be made for EDII.
I would think that even though some students are accepted ED or EDII, there are those that back-out for one reason or another (and issue between the student, the university, and potentially other universities). This aside, if you are willing to inform the university that you are prepared to pay the full cost, without consideration to aid or scholarship, there is no better way inform the university of your “interest.” This also provides students on the borderline of acceptance, or under, for an opportunity. Of course, this is what the university wants. It’s about the university, not the student.