Is there any reason NOT to apply EA (non-binding) if EA is available?

[Anonymous]

seems like a non-brainer to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:seems like a non-brainer to me.

Is there one school that offers both options?

[Anonymous]

Several do. U of Miami and U of Virginia, for starters.

[Anonymous]

OP - my question was concerning early action instead of regular decision.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

There are a few schools where they are supposedly very tough in the EA round. Not sure if that's true.

The other big issue is record - if the fall grades and activities are likely to make the application look better than it might be better to wait until the RD round. If not then EA definitely the way to go.

Many schools emphasize that EA gets you the decision sooner, but does not provide any admissions advantage.

[Anonymous]

The school might see a difference in your level of commitment to them. Binding EA says "I love you're school and I'll definitely come if accepted" whereas non-binding EA says "I like you guys, but I'm still hedging my bets."

Word on the DCUM street is that colleges want to accept kids they think will come, because this keeps their yields high. Others will tell you that yield is only a tiny part of the USNWR ranking so it's not important. Also, I'm sure the weight placed on yields varies from school to school. Sorry I can't be more definitive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school might see a difference in your level of commitment to them. Binding EA says "I love you're school and I'll definitely come if accepted" whereas non-binding EA says "I like you guys, but I'm still hedging my bets."

Word on the DCUM street is that colleges want to accept kids they think will come, because this keeps their yields high. Others will tell you that yield is only a tiny part of the USNWR ranking so it's not important. Also, I'm sure the weight placed on yields varies from school to school. Sorry I can't be more definitive!

PP again. Sorry, I'm not clear whether you're talking about early action, early decision, non-binding early decision, or other mutations. But you can apply my points according to the level of commitment a given application channel demonstrates to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school might see a difference in your level of commitment to them. Binding EA says "I love you're school and I'll definitely come if accepted" whereas non-binding EA says "I like you guys, but I'm still hedging my bets."

Word on the DCUM street is that colleges want to accept kids they think will come, because this keeps their yields high. Others will tell you that yield is only a tiny part of the USNWR ranking so it's not important. Also, I'm sure the weight placed on yields varies from school to school. Sorry I can't be more definitive!

Very few schools offer ED and EA - it's usually one or the other. There's no such thing as binding EA. There is Single Choice EA but all that means is that you may not apply to any other school ED. You can apply to other schools EA and RD and are not required to go to the SCEA school. One of DCs friends just turned down a top tier SCEA school.

[Anonymous]

OP here -

To be clear, I'm not asking about ED in any way - remove that from the equation. Just asking applying by the EA deadline or waiting to the RD deadline.

1st semester Sr. grades - good point.

[Anonymous]

But first semester senior grades, in MCPS at any rate, won't be available until late January, too late to apply. Do colleges want to look at first quarter senior year grades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But first semester senior grades, in MCPS at any rate, won't be available until late January, too late to apply. Do colleges want to look at first quarter senior year grades?

Wouldn't you send updated grades to the school if decisions are sent in April?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But first semester senior grades, in MCPS at any rate, won't be available until late January, too late to apply. Do colleges want to look at first quarter senior year grades?

All colleges require a mid year report with 1st semester grades for RD applicants. MCPS absolutely sends these.