Early Decision II: The Basics and a Complete List

Early Decision 2 (ED2) is an additional application deadline option that some colleges and universities offer. It is similar to Early Decision 1 (ED1) but has a later deadline. Here's an explanation of how it works:

1. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision: In the college admissions process, there are typically two main application options: Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD). ED is a binding commitment, meaning that if you are admitted through ED, you are obligated to attend that college and must withdraw any other college applications. RD is non-binding, and you have until the regular reply deadline to decide which college to attend.

2. ED1 and ED2: Early Decision 1 (ED1) usually has an application deadline in early November, with admission decisions coming out in December. ED2, on the other hand, has a later application deadline, often in January or early February, and admission decisions are typically released in February or March.

3. Benefits of ED2: ED2 can be attractive to students who may not have been admitted to their top-choice college through ED1 or who may need more time to consider their college options. It allows students to demonstrate their continued interest in a particular college while providing them with more time to improve their academic records or standardized test scores.

4. Binding Commitment: Similar to ED1, if you are admitted through ED2, you are generally required to enroll at that college and withdraw any other college applications. It's crucial to understand that ED2 is a binding commitment.

5. Financial Aid and Scholarships: Some colleges have ED2 policies regarding financial aid and scholarships. Be sure to research each college's specific policies because they may vary. In some cases, applying ED2 may limit your ability to compare financial aid packages from different colleges.

6. Selective Process: Keep in mind that ED2 is competitive. Admissions committees may use it to admit strong candidates who may have been deferred or waitlisted during the ED1 round. Therefore, it's important to submit a well-prepared application.

It's essential to thoroughly research each college's specific application policies and deadlines if you're considering applying through ED2. Make sure to consult the college's official website or contact the admissions office for the most up-to-date information on their admission options and requirements.

Here is a list of colleges and universities that currently offer ED2, along with their deadlines:

  • American University - January 15

  • Antioch College - January 2

  • Babson College - January 4

  • Bates Colleges - January 11

  • Baylor University - February 1

  • Bennington College - January 15

  • Bentley University - January 7

  • Boston College - January 10

  • Boston University - January 4

  • Bowdoin College - January 5

  • Brandeis University - January 1

  • Bryant University - January 15

  • Bryn Mawr College - January 1

  • Bucknell University - January 15

  • Carleton College - January 15

  • Carnegie Mellon University - January 3

  • Case Western Reserve University - January 15

  • Catholic University of America - January 15

  • Claremont McKenna College - January 11

  • Clark University - January 15

  • Colby College - January 1

  • Colgate University - January 15

  • College of the Atlantic - January 15

  • College of the Holy Cross - January 15

  • College of William and Mary - January 2

  • College of Wooster - January 15

  • Colorado College - January 15

  • Connecticut College - January 15

  • Davidson College - January 2

  • Denison College - January 15

  • Dickinson College - January 15

  • DePauw University - January 15

  • Drew University - January 15

  • Emerson College - January 3

  • Emory University - January 1

  • Fairfield University - January 15

  • Franklin & Marshall College - January 15

  • Furman University - January 15

  • George Washington University - January 5

  • Gettysburg College - January 15

  • Grinnell College - January 1

  • Grove City College - December 1

  • Hamilton College - January 4

  • Hampshire College - January 4

  • Harvey Mudd College - January 5

  • Haverford College - January 6

  • High Point University - February 1

  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges - January 15

  • Illinois Institute of Technology - January 1

  • Jewish Theological Seminary - January 1

  • Johns Hopkins University - January 4

  • Kenyon College - January 15

  • Lafayette College - January 15

  • Lake Forest College - January 15

  • Lehigh University - January 1

  • Loyola Marymount University - January 8

  • Macalester College - January 1

  • Marist College - February 15

  • Middlebury College - January 3

  • Mount Holyoke College - January 4

  • Muhlenberg College - February 1

  • New York University - January 1

  • Northeastern University - January 1

  • Oberlin College - January 2

  • Occidental College - February 1

  • Pitzer College - January 8

  • Pomona College - January 8

  • Providence College - January 15

  • Reed College - December 20

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - December 15

  • Rhodes College - January 15

  • Rochester Institute of Technology - January 1

  • Rollins College - January 5

  • Santa Clara University - January 7

  • Saint Joseph’s University - January 15

  • Sarah Lawrence College - January 15

  • Scripps College - January 5

  • Sewanee: The University of the South - January 15

  • Skidmore College - January 15

  • Smith College - January 1

  • Southern Methodist University - January 15

  • Springfield College - January 15

  • Stevens Institute of Technology - January 15

  • Stonehill College - February 1

  • St. Olaf College - January 15

  • Swarthmore College - January 4

  • Syracuse University - January 1

  • Texas Christian University - February 1

  • Trinity College - January 15

  • Trinity University - January 15

  • Tufts University - January 1

  • Tulane University - January 8

  • Union College - January 15

  • University of Chicago - January 4

  • University of Denver - January 15

  • University of Miami - January 1

  • University of North Carolina Asheville - January 15

  • University of Richmond - January 1

  • University of Rochester - January 5

  • Ursinus College - February 1

  • Vanderbilt University - January 1

  • Vassar College - January 1

  • Villanova University - January 1

  • Wake Forest University - January 1

  • Washington and Lee University - January 1

  • Washington University in St. Louis - January 1

  • Wellesley College - January 1

  • Wesleyan University - January 1

  • Wheaton College - January 1

  • Whitman College - January 15

  • Worchester Polytechnic Institute - January 15

Hafeez Lakhani