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Dave, Sally, Roger, Dadster, or anyone else.
I have searched high and low and cannot seem to get a grasp of what exactly is the advantage of EA to the school? And is the advantage to the applicant only to know in December, or is there some other admissions advantage in applying EA? I completely understand the advantages of ED on both sides, but EA seems nebulous to me. Thanks for your help in explaining it!

By Calmom (Calmom) on Tuesday, November 05, 2002 - 08:07 pm: Edit

I'll bet the yield on EA is better than RD, even though there is no formal commitment. There is just a stronger psychological pull toward the college that admitted the student early, plus the college has the opportunity to build on that through various contacts and events for admitted students.

By anonj on Friday, November 08, 2002 - 08:32 am: Edit

bump

By Dadster on Friday, November 08, 2002 - 09:29 pm: Edit

I agree with Calmon, anonj - it's a way to "market" to great students early. Instead of your acceptance being part of an early April rush, the student has a chance to consider the college, perhaps visit one or more times... There simply has to be more "mindshare" for the EA school than others. Some students might simply treat the EA acceptance like an ED offer, and not apply elsewhere. Either way, the yield is better.

By anonj on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 03:12 pm: Edit

Makes sense but why do EA schools make it seem not the case? I've heard applying ED is the equivalent of adding 100 points to your SAT. On the other hand, EA schools make it sound like applying EA is for the creme de la creme of the applicant pool, like it's much harder to get in early, and there is no advantage in applying early because the pool is more competitive (even though their acceptance numbers would seem to indicate otherwise).

This makes it look like it is easier to get in ED but actually harder to get in EA. Is this a real difference between EA and ED? Or is the benefit (to the applicant) basically the same?

By anonj on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 03:12 pm: Edit

bump

By anonj on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 07:15 pm: Edit

bigger bump

By Dadster on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 10:14 pm: Edit

I don't think that is necessarily true, anonj. I think EA may not be quite the same boost for the applicant because it doesn't benefit the college as much either (i.e., no 100% yield).

All in all, ED is for applicants who really have a strong preference for a school, not for gamesmanship. EA offers the benefit of early planning without the firm obligation.

By anonj on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 10:29 am: Edit

If it's true that the only benefit to the EA school (as opposed to benefit to the applicant) is higher yield, I guess I'm struggling to understand why they make it sound like should only be used by top-notch students. Maybe I'm having brain drain on EA but I can't seem to get my arms around why any school even bothers with it. Why wouldn't they just offer ED or RD or rolling?

By anonj on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 07:53 pm: Edit

bump again - sorry