What's the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?

I've seen both ED I and ED II mentioned and am unsure of their differences. Can someone explain how the two options differ and what factors might influence a student's decision to choose one or the other? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! The primary difference between Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Decision II (ED II) is the application deadline and when you'll receive your admissions decision. Typically, the deadline for ED I is around November, and you'll be notified of your admissions decision in December. For ED II, the deadline is usually in January, with notifications coming in February.

Both options are binding, meaning that if you're accepted to the college under either ED I or ED II, you're committed to attending that college and must withdraw your applications to all other schools.

Factors that might influence a student's decision to choose ED I or ED II include the following:

1. Application readiness: If you feel your application is strong in the fall, you might opt for ED I. However, if you want extra time to improve your application (especially your grades or test scores), ED II could be a better option.

2. Demonstrated interest: Applying ED I can send a stronger signal of interest to your top-choice college, as you're committing early on in the process.

3. Financial aid: If maintaining options for financial aid is crucial, you may want to apply through Regular Decision instead since both ED options are binding and limit your ability to compare financial aid packages.

I hope this clarifies the difference between ED I and ED II. Good luck with your college application process!