Swarthmore ED: Is it binding?

Hi everyone, I've been looking into Swarthmore College and am considering applying for Early Decision (ED). I wanted to know if their ED is binding? What are the deadlines and acceptance rates for Swarthmore's ED program?

Yes, Swarthmore College's Early Decision (ED) is binding. This means that if you apply under the ED program and are accepted, you are expected to enroll at Swarthmore and withdraw all your other college applications.

Swarthmore offers two ED rounds with different deadlines:

1. Early Decision I (ED I) deadline: Around November 15

2. Early Decision II (ED II) deadline: Around January 1

Note that these are generally the deadlines, and they are subject to change. Keep an eye on Swarthmore's official channels for the most up-to-date info.

It's important to remember that binding ED programs should only be considered if Swarthmore is genuinely your top-choice school and you are prepared to commit to attending if accepted.

Regarding acceptance rates, Swarthmore's ED rates tend to be higher than their regular decision acceptance rates, as tends to be the case at many selective schools. While the specific statistics may change each year, applying ED can give you a slight advantage compared to applying during the regular decision cycle.

That being said, you should still ensure that your application is as strong as possible in order to maximize your chances of acceptance. Swarthmore is a highly competitive college, and applying ED alone will not guarantee your acceptance. Best of luck with your application!