Parents of Juniors: learn from us and ED if able
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Anonymous
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If you are able financially to ED, please don’t be like us and think “naaaah I’m just gonna see where all DC gets in and make a decision then.” Pick a reasonable target (maybe a low reach) where your kid would be happy and ED there. Because what’s left over in April when you’ll have all your options is … the next tier down.
People told us don’t do it, don’t pass on the chance to ED. We thought naaaahhh that doesn’t apply to DS. He has high stats and doesn’t have a clear favorite. DS does have choices, but not ones as good as he could have had if he had picked in November and EDd. There just aren’t many spots left for RD after the top colleges have filled up with ED. |
Anonymous
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So you can only ED at one school?
What if you ED at a reach and get waitlisted there? |
Anonymous
Right. ED is binding. If you get waitlisted, pick an ED2 school threats ranked a little lower. |
Anonymous
They don’t waitlist you ED. you get deferred to RD or rejected. Some schools offer ED2 |
Anonymous
| There are so many options and strategies with ED. Pick one. Don’t pass this up if you can swing it! |
Anonymous
But then what happens to your ED1 choice if they finally decide to admit you? Does the waitlist/deferred status cancel the obligation to attend the first school? |
Anonymous
then it isn't binding |
Anonymous
Yes, if ED1 choice defers you, you are not bound if they accept you RD later. its just like any other app at that point. But if you apply to school 2 ED2 and they accept you, you are bound. All other apps should be withdrawn then. |
Anonymous
Thank you! |
Anonymous
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I agree that ED is worth a shot, if merit aid isn't a deciding factor.
However, it is far from a sure thing. If you pull recruited athletes and legacies out of the ED numbers, acceptance rates are better than RD, but not nearly as good as the raw numbers look. One interesting example was that Vanderbilt accidentally published their ED1 numbers separately from ED2 (they usually combine them), and, if you did the math with the final numbers, you could see that the ED2 acceptance rate wasn't much, if any, better than RD. |
Anonymous
| I’m so conflicted. I know this is the best path for admission but it doesn’t allow DC to consider merit aid from other schools. |
Anonymous
If the ED school defers you, you move to the RD pool so there is no longer a binding agreement. If they reject you in the ED round well you have your answer sooner and can focus on other options. Also while you can only apply to one school ED, you need to check if that school allows you to apply to early action and rolling admission schools as well (not only RD) so you have a backup plan if you get deferred or rejected. You would not want to delay getting in your UMD application by the Nov 1 EA deadline (where they fill 90% of their class) by waiting to find out in mid-December if you were admitted to your ED choice. I give the same advice as the OP to parents of juniors, if you run the Net Price Calculator for that low-reach college that your child really wants to attend (and they are sure) and you are okay with paying that price, have them apply ED and get that admissions boost. |
Anonymous
Which is exactly why so many of us think ED should go away. It gives the college all the leverage in the process. |
Anonymous
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Not true, OP.
Anecdotally, including in our household, ED was to a low reach and deferred. In April, got in to ED as well as a higher ranked reach. Yes, play ED strategically, but don't feel like if the applicant doesn't get in, that the subsequent options will be lower tier. |
Anonymous
| And for heavens sake, don’t think there has to be The One. There are a handful of good fits. Pick one and ED. |