Hi, I'm a junior thinking about my college application strategy, and I'm unsure about whether to apply Early Decision. Are there any downsides or risks to applying ED? Thank you for your insights!
Hello! It's great that you're planning your college application strategy early on. Early Decision does have a few potential downsides that you should consider, and I'll share some from my own experience watching my child go through the process.
First, ED is a binding agreement, meaning that if you're accepted, you're expected to commit and withdraw all your other applications. So, you should really be sure about your first-choice school and potential financial aid before applying ED.
Speaking of financial aid, another downside is that you don't have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools. That worked against us as we could have potentially received better aid packages at other schools.
Lastly, applying ED means you'll have to submit your application earlier, often in November. This might not give you enough time to polish your essays or improve your test scores.
Ultimately, it's a personal decision, but it's essential to weigh the pros and cons. Best of luck!
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