Early Decision success statistics?

[alt91119]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Are there any statistics on the number of early decision applications every year and what percentage of these applications result in an acceptance? I always hear ED being talked about as a crazy decision that essentially nobody does, but I'd like to know what the actual success is for the applicants that choose to do it.

 

[md-2020]

For my state school (one of the more selective ones in the US) it's about 50%. But the reason it's still a terrible decision for most people is that the admissions office will outright tell you--it's actually listed on the website--that realistically you must be 1. well above their mean stats (already not shabby at 3.8 and 32) and 2. have a compelling reason in order to be successful.

The success rate is therefore heavily self-selected.

 

[alt91119]

For my state school (one of the more selective ones in the US) it's about 50%. But the reason it's still a terrible decision for most people is that the admissions office will outright tell you--it's actually listed on the website--that realistically you must be 1. well above their mean stats (already not shabby at 3.8 and 32) and 2. have a compelling reason in order to be successful.

The success rate is therefore heavily self-selected.

Is being above the mean stats a hard rule at all places, or can being a perfect fit for mission, while being close to the mean number, count? For example, if a school is very heavily research focused, and you have 1st author publications from labs at the school and are close to publishing other things there and want to continue it?

 

[Ismet]

It's all very school specific. It's really hard to make generalizations about early decision because each school has their own things they're looking for. Some schools will accept people with strong numbers, strong app, and very strong ties to the area, while some schools will only accept ED applicants if there's some extenuating family circumstance requiring that they stay in that area.

If you're applying ED, you need to meet with someone in the admissions office prior to making that decision.

 

[Ukpremed]

You should talk to the admissions office at your school. Most schools will tell you, if you should apply or not.

 

[raiderette]

Before applying EDP in my state they expect a meeting with the dean. It is a very popular option in my state as it is used as a tool to recruit high stats applicants and EDP gets to guarantee their campus instead of entering the campus lottery . But Indiana is a true outlier among the schools.

 

[Funke]

I was told to meet with the Dean. He told me to apply edp, I did and was accepted. I would definitely set up a meeting before committing to that. I would hope the Dean would be forward and give honest advice, but I'm sure this varies by school.

 

[Hangry]

For my state school (one of the more selective ones in the US) it's about 50%. But the reason it's still a terrible decision for most people is that the admissions office will outright tell you--it's actually listed on the website--that realistically you must be 1. well above their mean stats (already not shabby at 3.8 and 32) and 2. have a compelling reason in order to be successful.

The success rate is therefore heavily self-selected.

And this self selection is further influenced by mandatory meetings with the Dean of Admissions prior to applying EDP at many schools.