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[quote=Anonymous]DC did early decision. The school was an extreme reach and I argued with DC about using that ED boost strategically, at some school that was a reach but not extremely so. My feeling was, nobody thinks that applying ED to Harvard (not the school in question here) is going to work miracles, and DC's chances at this extreme reach were sort of of the same order. DC wouldn't be dissuaded. So, with a sinking feeling, and the comfort that DC could still do regular decision at other schools, I let DC do ED at the extreme reach. It turned out well, DC hasn't had even a moment of second guessing, but given that DC just started classes this week it's too early to opine on whether this particular college is a good fit or not.

Here's one recommendation. Fill out some non-binding early actions at some safeties - safeties you actually like - in October or November. Then if the ED decision is a rejection, things won't look quite so bleak because you know some colleges love you. There are a bunch of schools, like St. Mary's and Northeastern, that take the common app and don't require much in the way of supplemental essays. So that if you've filled out the Common App for the ED college, this isn't much additional work. These will give you a non-binding decision by December maybe even a gratifying offer of merit aid.

Here are some thoughts.

PROs:
1. It's all over in December! 
2. Miracles can happen - DC's experience.
3. Conventional wisdom is, use ED for a school if you can't see yourself anywhere but at that school. That's what DC kept arguing back at me. If the school is really your one and only, ED will give you your best shot at it.

CONs:
1. ED isn't a guaranteed miracle. We know wonderful kids who were rejected or deferred in the ED process.
2. If you get rejected or deferred in ED, then you have to finalize those other applications during your holidays, thinking all the time that your first choice rejected you. 
3. With ED you can't compare FA or merit awards. We knew DC wouldn't qualify for FA, but we're not so well off that we didn't flinch at giving up the opportunity to compare merit awards. 
4. I suspect that schools offer less merit aid to ED acceptees, because they know they've locked you in, than to regular decision candidates. Although I have no proof. This doesn't apply to Ivies, none of which do merit awards.
5. The usual concerns about second guessing - is this really the right school for me?[/quote]

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