Hello! I'm a junior in high school and I'm considering applying to college through either Early Decision I or Early Decision II. What are the main differences between ED I and ED II? Is there a significant advantage to choosing one over the other? Thanks for the help!
Hey! It's awesome that you're starting to think about college applications and planning whether to apply ED I or ED II. Both Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Decision II (ED II) are binding application plans, meaning if you're accepted, you commit to enrolling at the respective college.
The main difference between the two is their respective deadlines. ED I deadlines typically fall around November 1st, while ED II deadlines are usually around January 1st. As a result, ED II gives you a bit more time to improve your application, work on essays, and gather recommendation letters.
Regarding application advantages, Early Decision options generally provide a boost in acceptance rates when compared to Regular Decision. The advantage between ED I and ED II is less clear, but it could be said that applying earlier (ED I) usually provides a slightly higher boost due to yield benefits for the college.
Ultimately, it's important to choose an ED plan that fits well with your application timeline and commitment towards the specific college. Best of luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.