Applying to a college Early Decision (ED) is not for everybody. It is a "binding" decision, meaning that you commit to attend the school if admitted. ED only makes sense if you're a competitive applicant, affordability isn't an issue, and you're absolutely certain it's the school for you.
But as the list below shows, there can be a meaningful advantage in applying this way if you are. For example, at Barnard College, roughly 60% of the Class of 2026 was admitted through Early Decision, and the admission rate was 29% vs. 8% for those who applied via Regular Decision. Or at Washington University in St. Louis, over 70% of the incoming class was admitted through Early Decision, and the admission rate was 27% vs. 8% for those who applied via Regular Decision. At Tulane, The Early Decision admission rate was 68% versus 8% Regular Decision-- an 8.5x advantage! These are differences too big to ignore.
Note: Early Action (EA), which is NOT binding, does not offer the same acceptance bumps. The advantage of EA is that you submit your application earlier and find out whether you are accepted earlier.
Here's a list of schools with Early Decision admission rates that are at least twice as high as their Regular Decision admission rates:
(Source: College Kickstart 2022)
Comments