One of the biggest decisions to make in the application process is whether to do Early Decision. You can only apply to one school Early Decision, and it forecloses financial aid negotiations if you're accepted because you can't get packages from other schools to use in negotiating, but it's undeniable that it vastly increases your odds at highly competitive colleges: often from next to zero to in the ballpark. For example, some of the highly competitive colleges accept 5-8% of applicants, but if you apply Early Decision, it rises to roughly 18% and if you don't it drops to about 3%. If you're applying to the Ivies or their equivalents, the only real chance for most humans is Early Decision, but even then the chances are under 20%, and all of those applicants (just about) are highly qualified to attend.
For a document from InGenius listing the early decision/early action policies of the most competitive 50 schools, go to https://ingeniusprep.com/blog/early-action-and-early-decision/
Cary is happy to discuss this with you individually if you're unsure.
Are you stuck if you are accepted early decision and don't like the aid package?
Early Decision Isn't Binding if you can't afford it 21
3 top reasons to apply either Early Action or Early Decision24
Merit aid and early decision 22
Merit aid and early decision 2 22
Early Decision and Early Action explained 20
Merit aid and early decision 2 22
Sticker shock on your early decision package? 21
Should you apply for Early Decision 19
Financial Implications of Early Decision 19
Financial Aid and Early Admission changes for 2020-21
Application Deadline Decisions 19
Early Admissions By The Numbers19
HOW APPLYING EARLY FOR COLLEGE AFFECTS FINANCIAL AID18.DOCX
HOW TO KNOW IF EARLY DECISION WORKS FOR YOU18.DOCX
3 REASONS NOT TO APPLY EARLY DECISION.DOCX
APPLYING EARLY DECISION- 10FAQS 17.DOCX
EARLY DECISION - WHAT IF YOU BACK OUT?.DOCX
EARLY DECISION AND EARLY ACTION 2017.DOCX
4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COLLEGE EARLY ACTION PROGRAMS18.DOCX
EARLY DECISION STATISTICS .DOCX
EARLY DECISION SHOULDN’T BE AN EASY DECISION17.DOCX
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES PROBE OF COLLEGE EARLY ADMISSIONS18.DOCX
THE PLAGUE OF ‘EARLY DECISION’ 16.DOCX
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EARLY DECISION COLLEGE APPLICATIONS17.DOCX
WHY YOU SHOULD USE EARLY DECISION FOR SELECTIVE COLLEGES17.DOCX
MAKE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY STAND OUT 16.DOCX