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What Is Early Decision II and When Should You Use It?

By  ·   ·  MIT Alumni Admissions Interviewer

Key Takeaways

  • ED II deadlines are typically January 1 or 15, with decisions in mid-February
  • ED II is binding — same enrollment obligation as ED I
  • Best used after not being admitted ED I and identifying a genuine second first-choice school
  • ED II acceptance rates are typically higher than Regular Decision at the same school
  • Many schools offering ED I also offer ED II — check each school's policies
Early Decision II is a second binding early application round with January deadlines and mid-February decisions. Like ED I, it requires enrollment if admitted. It is most useful for students denied or deferred in the first early round who have identified a genuine second school they are ready to commit to without comparing other financial aid offers.

ED II is a valuable option many students overlook. Here is when and how to use it.

What ED II Is

A second binding early round with deadlines around January 1–15 and mid-February decisions. The commitment is identical to ED I: admit means enroll and withdraw all other applications.

Who Should Use It

Students denied/deferred ED I: Immediately identify a second first-choice school and apply ED II to improve odds over Regular Decision. Students who needed time to decide: If December EA results and initial aid estimates make one school a clear winner, ED II formalizes that with a potential advantage. Students now certain of their choice: If you weren't ready in November but are now, ED II provides the window.

Financial Aid Note

The same cautions as ED I apply — only commit if you're confident the aid package will work, or if the school meets 100% of demonstrated need primarily with grants.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you apply ED II after being deferred from the same school ED I?
No — a deferral puts your application in the Regular Decision pool at that school. ED II must be at a different institution.

Sources & References

  • Common App ED II policy documentation
  • Empowerly Early Decision II strategy guide (2025)
  • CollegeVine ED II vs Regular Decision analysis

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