What are the downsides of applying EA?

[Anonymous]

Other than having to be ready earlier, are there downsides like there are to ED? For example, does it lessen one's chance of financial aid?

[Anonymous]

Pros
Shows demonstrated interest esp for schools that don’t have ED
You find out acceptances early December or January

Cons
If you are a competitive student, and they do have ED2, expect to be asked to convert from EA to ED2... If this happens and you decline, you’re not getting in, likely waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

EA doesn't have sufficient pros and cons, at least not for non hooked applicants at T20.

[Anonymous]

One downside is an early rejection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One downside is an early rejection.

Not a downside. Better to know sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous]

Being deferred EA can be stressful and prolong the process but so can bring deferred ED

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pros
Shows demonstrated interest esp for schools that don’t have ED
You find out acceptances early December or January

Cons
If you are a competitive student, and they do have ED2, expect to be asked to convert from EA to ED2... If this happens and you decline, you’re not getting in, likely waitlisted.

Which schools is it common to have the above happen? EA applicant asked to switch to ED?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pros
Shows demonstrated interest esp for schools that don’t have ED
You find out acceptances early December or January

Cons
If you are a competitive student, and they do have ED2, expect to be asked to convert from EA to ED2... If this happens and you decline, you’re not getting in, likely waitlisted.

Which schools is it common to have the above happen? EA applicant asked to switch to ED?

Some schools send out a notice to EA applicants that they have x days to convert to ED2 if they'd like. UMiami did this.

[Anonymous]

Weirdly USC has a lower Ea admit rate than RD.

Can’t figure that out.

[Anonymous]

Only serious downside generally is if the student's app will be stronger in January than it is in November, whether through a strong first semester senior year or otherwise. For example, a student who had some rough patches early in HS might have pulled it together during junior year and feel confident that their rigorous senior course load and good grades first semester will make them look stronger than they would with grades through only junior year.

Absent that, there typically isn't a reason not to apply EA, and in fact at some schools -- U-MD being the most significant one around here -- your chances of admission if you wait until RD round plummet.

For sure some schools are more selective with their EA round or, supposedly like Michigan, just can't possibly get through all the EA apps in time and so postpone many to the RD round. But even for those, there doesn't seem to be a penalty for having applied EA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One downside is an early rejection.

Not a downside. Better to know sooner rather than later.

Definitely a possible downside emotionally to get an early rejection.

[Anonymous]

I think the biggest downside is kids are maturing and changing so fast their senior year. Locking them into a college choice on Nov 1 is tough. My son has only been 17 for 3 months at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weirdly USC has a lower Ea admit rate than RD.

Can’t figure that out.

We were told it is bc it includes EA students who were deferred and then accepted RD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the biggest downside is kids are maturing and changing so fast their senior year. Locking them into a college choice on Nov 1 is tough. My son has only been 17 for 3 months at this point.

Discussing EA, not ED

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the biggest downside is kids are maturing and changing so fast their senior year. Locking them into a college choice on Nov 1 is tough. My son has only been 17 for 3 months at this point.

EA does not lock you in.