Choosing between Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) when applying to different universities can feel like navigating a maze. With each path offering its own set of advantages and challenges, it’s essential to understand which option best aligns with your goals, readiness, and application strategy.
Let's talk about two of our students Rahul and Sachin who are confused whether they should apply to ED or RD.
Student 1: Rahul is a high-achieving student with a strong academic record, excellent grades, and impressive extracurricular involvement. He’s worked hard on his application profile, finalizing his college essays and personal story.
Student 2: Sachin has a good academic record overall, however his SAT scores are not up to the mark. He is planning to retake the SAT in December. Also, he hasn't refined and finalized his college essays yet.
Before we help Rahul and Sachin decide, let's first understand the differences and advantages of ED and RD.
What is Early Decision (ED)?
Early Decision is a popular choice for students who have a clear first-choice university and are confident in their application. Unlike Regular Decision, Early Decision is binding. This means that if you apply in ED and get accepted, you are committed to enrolling in that university and must withdraw all other university applications.
Many renowned universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Columbia, the University of Chicago, Brown and Boston University offer ED options. If one of these schools is your dream university, then ED might be worth considering.
Advantages of Early Decision
Demonstrated Commitment: Applying ED shows a university that you are committed to attending if accepted. This can work in your favor because schools appreciate applicants who demonstrate a genuine interest in them. They want students who are eager to be part of their community.
Potential Admission Advantage: Statistics often show a higher acceptance rate for ED applicants compared to RD applicants. Since the pool of ED applicants is smaller, and they are more likely to be highly motivated, you might have a slightly better chance of getting in, especially if you have strong grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. According to Forbes, Brown University had an ED acceptance rate of 14.38% for the Class of 2028, which is markedly higher than its RD rate of just 3.8%. According to Duke Today, Duke University had an ED acceptance rate of 12.9% for the Class of 2028, which is significantly higher than its RD acceptance rate of just 4.1%.
Early Results: With ED, you typically apply by November 1st and receive a decision by December 15th. This means you could find out where you're going to college months before your peers. This lets you skip the stress of the regular decision process. You'll be able to enjoy your final year of high school with more peace of mind.
Considerations Before Choosing Early Decision
While ED has its perks, it's not the right choice for everyone. If you are not 100% sure about your first-choice university, ED might not be for you. The binding nature of ED means that if you get in, you’re going, regardless of whether a different school might have offered you a better scholarship or whether you might have changed your mind about your top choice. Also, since the deadline is earlier, you’ll need to have your essays polished, your letters of recommendation ready, and your test scores where you want them to be by 1st November.
What is Regular Decision (RD)?
Regular Decision is the most common and traditional route for university applications. Unlike ED, RD offers much more flexibility. You can apply to as many universities as you wish, and you have the freedom to weigh all your options once you receive your admission offers. If you're someone who isn’t sure about your first-choice university or need more time to improve your application, RD might be the way to go.
Advantages of Regular Decision
More Time to Decide: Regular Decision deadlines typically fall between mid-December and mid-January, giving you more time to work on your application materials, finalize your essays, and improve your test scores if needed.
Freedom of Choice: With RD, you can compare offers from multiple universities. This is particularly beneficial when considering scholarships, as some schools might be more generous than others. Having options allows you to make an informed decision based on what’s best for you academically, financially, and personally.
A Larger Applicant Pool: While this could be seen as a disadvantage because of increased competition, it also means that universities are looking for a diverse range of students to fill their incoming class. If you believe your unique experiences and background will help you stand out in a larger pool, RD could be your chance to shine.
Considerations Before Choosing Regular Decision
The downside to RD is that decisions come later - usually between February and March. This means you might have a longer waiting period compared to your ED counterparts. The larger applicant pool can also mean stiffer competition, so your application needs to be as strong as possible.
Choosing between Early Decision and Regular Decision ultimately comes down to your own circumstances and priorities. If you are absolutely certain about your dream school and feel confident about your application then Early Decision might give you the edge you need.
However, if you need more time to decide, want to apply to several schools, or are concerned about scholarship options, Regular Decision is probably the better route.
Now that we understand the advantages and disadvantages of ED and RD. Let's see what these two students have chosen.
Student 1: Under our guidance, Rahul decided to apply Early Decision (ED) to his dream university. Given his strong academic record, excellent grades, and impressive extracurricular involvement, he felt confident that this was the right choice. By securing his spot early, Rahul can relax and enjoy his senior year without the uncertainty of the regular decision process.
Student 2: Sachin was initially torn between applying Early Decision (ED) to boost his chances of getting into his dream university or waiting for Regular Decision to submit a stronger application. ED could have given him a better shot, given the higher acceptance rates for early applicants at many universities. His SAT scores were not where he wanted them to be, and he still needed to finalize his essays. However he was worried that applying without his improved test scores and polished essays might weaken his application. After discussing his options with us and weighing the pros and cons, Sachin decided to wait for Regular Decision. This way, he could submit a more complete and polished application, showcasing his strengths to their fullest.
In the end, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about assessing where you stand, comprehending what each option offers, and making the best choice for your future.
EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge and other top global universities. Our experts have mentored thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, test prep and admissions essays.
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