Early Decision II: A Strategic Opportunity

As the college admissions landscape becomes increasingly competitive, a thoughtful, data-driven application strategy is more important than ever. At Top Tier Admissions, we often talk about the early advantage, which can be a game-changer for applicants who want to improve their chances of getting into their dream school. If you missed the November Early Decision I deadline, it’s not too late to take advantage of a binding option elsewhere. Let’s explore what Early Decision II entails, which schools offer it, and the benefits of this application cycle.

WHAT IS EARLY DECISION II?

Early Decision II (ED II) is similar to Early Decision (ED I) in that it is a binding agreement – if accepted, the student is committed to attending that college. However, ED II deadlines are typically set in January, later than November ED I deadlines. Decisions are usually released in mid-February. This gives students more time to prepare their applications and consider their college choices.

SCHOOLS OFFERING EARLY DECISION II

A wide range of colleges and universities offer ED II, including small liberal arts colleges and larger research universities. Some notable schools with ED II options include:

College/University	ED II Deadline
American University	January 15
Babson College	January 2
Bates Colleges	January 10
Boston College	January 2
Boston University	January 4
Bowdoin College	January 5
Bucknell University	January 15
Carleton College	January 15
Carnegie Mellon University	January 3
Case Western Reserve University	January 15
Claremont McKenna College	January 10
Colgate University	January 15
College of William and Mary	January 5
Colorado College	January 15
Davidson College	January 5
Emory University	January 1
George Washington University	January 5
Hamilton College	January 3
Haverford College	January 5
Johns Hopkins University	January 2
Lehigh University	January 1
Macalester College	January 1
Middlebury College	January 3
New York University	January 1
Northeastern University	January 1
Pomona College	January 8
Santa Clara University	January 7
Sarah Lawrence College	January 15
Scripps College	January 8
Skidmore College	January 15
Smith College	January 1
Southern Methodist University	January 15
Swarthmore College	January 4
Syracuse University	January 5
Tufts University	January 4
Tulane University	January 15
University of Chicago	January 2
University of Miami	January 1
University of Richmond	January 1
Vanderbilt University	January 1
Vassar College	January 1
Villanova University	January 15
Wake Forest University	January 1
Washington and Lee University	January 1
Washington University in St. Louis	January 3
Wellesley College	January 1
Wesleyan University	January 1

This list is not exhaustive, and it’s important to check with each institution for specific deadlines and requirements.

BENEFITS OF APPLYING ED II: INCREASED ADMISSION CHANCES

Many colleges have higher acceptance rates for ED II compared to Early Action or Regular Decision, as it demonstrates a high level of interest and commitment to the institution. Although many schools don’t report the difference between ED I and ED II acceptance rates, the strategic advantage of ED II is not quite as strong as ED I since a percentage of incoming students has already been accepted in this earlier binding round.

SNAPSHOT OF EARLY ROUND ACCEPTANCE RATES

For a snapshot of acceptance rate data based on admissions round, see our tables, below: 

CLASS OF 2026
School	Admission Round	Acceptance Rate
Boston University	EDI	28%
	EDII	24%
	RD	13%
Johns Hopkins University	EDI	21%
	EDII	10%
	RD	6%
Macalester College	EA	50%
	EDI	43%
	RD	17%
Northeastern University	EA	6%
	EDI	33%
	RD	6%
University of Virginia	EA	20%
	EDI	32%
	RD	13%
Vanderbilt University	EDI	24%
	EDII	10%
	RD	5%

CLASS OF 2027
School	Admission Round	Acceptance Rate
Boston College	EDI	30%
	EDII	30%
	RD	13%
Emory University	EDI	31%
	EDII	12%
	RD	8%

OTHER BENEFITS OF ED II

• More Time for Decision-Making: ED II allows students additional time to explore their options, improve test scores, and refine their applications.
• Early Notification: While later than ED I, ED II still provides earlier notification compared to Regular Decision, allowing for more time to plan for the future.
• Second Chance: For students who were not accepted or deferred from their ED I choice, ED II offers another opportunity to apply early to a different institution.

Early Decision II presents a valuable opportunity for students who are ready to commit to a college but appreciate the extra time to make a well-informed decision. At Top Tier Admissions, we understand the nuances and strategic considerations of the ED II process. Our expert guidance can help you navigate this path, ensuring that your application stands out and aligns with your long-term goals.

Remember, choosing to apply ED II should be a carefully considered decision, aligned with your academic interests and personal circumstances. With the right approach, ED II can be a powerful step towards securing a place at your dream school.