Early Decision
A binding college admission plan where students apply by November 1 and commit to attend if accepted. Acceptance rates are typically higher than regular decision.
Early Decision (ED) is a binding admissions agreement primarily used by US private universities. Students submit applications by early November and receive decisions by mid-December, with the obligation to enroll if accepted. ED acceptance rates are typically 10-20 percentage points higher than regular decision rates, giving applicants a strategic advantage. However, the binding nature limits a student's ability to compare financial aid offers, which can disadvantage students from lower-income families.
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