OP, no one here knows if there is an advantage or not. This is why using ED as a strategy is a fool’s errand for most schools save for a few (I’m looking at you Tulane and Middlebury.)

If this is the school where your kid knows in their heart that they want it above every other school, then apply ED. If not, then don’t apply ED.

Anonymous wrote:In-state acceptance rates this year
ED: 29.5% (2,795 applications)
EA: 25% (11,240)
RD: 11% (3,519)

They say that they get their best applications early, which makes sense. It's hard to get in regardless. It's not like they're accepting 50% vs 10%.

EA is the most competitive pool at UVA and also when they admitted recruited athletes. There is a true advantage to ED, not sure why the university pretends there isn’t. Anecdotally, kids who aren’t admitted ed but deferred and then waitlisted seem to have a higher likelihood of being pulled from waitlist.

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotes aren't facts.

So you don’t think it helps? ED?

Anecdotes aren't facts.

Where does someone find "the scattergrams"?

It definitely helps at our NoVa public.

In-state acceptance rates this year
ED: 29.5% (2,795 applications)
EA: 25% (11,240)
RD: 11% (3,519)

They say that they get their best applications early, which makes sense. It's hard to get in regardless. It's not like they're accepting 50% vs 10%.

It definitely seems to help. However, I saw a lot of kids waste the ED on UVA this year when their stats were too low.

Let's say RD requires a 4.4 from your school. ED may mean that a 4.3 is ok. But a ton of kids tried to ED with a 4.2 or a 4.1 or even lower and it didn't work and they ended up rejected or waitlisted indefinitely.
(made up numbers to illustrate the point)

It appears to help kids at our large public.

If you are clearly in the green on the scattergrams, there is no admissions advantage. If you are right below that level, ED helps you get in. At my DC’s private school, the 4.5/1500+/34 kids all get in EA. The kids that are 4.35-4.45 1450/33 ONLY get in if they ED and it usually after deferral to RD and maybe off the WL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because you know that it’s the school you want to go to over all other schools.

But what is in it for the applicant?

Not having to spend the $80 for each application and never writing another essay for college again. This isn’t that difficult to figure out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because you know that it’s the school you want to go to over all other schools.

But what is in it for the applicant?

DP. Having it all done and getting to relax the rest of senior year.

Anonymous wrote:Because you know that it’s the school you want to go to over all other schools.

But what is in it for the applicant?

Because you know that it’s the school you want to go to over all other schools.

School says no. Anecdotally everyone we talk to says yes.

And if there is TRULY no advantage (over EA) then why do it?