Do you have a dream school, the one place where you’ve always wanted to study medicine, and no other place will do? Do you have a compelling reason for this one program, maybe a spouse whose job requires them to be in this location or your only living family member is in the area?
There are many reasons why someone might privilege one medical school over all others. And if this is the case, there are few ways to demonstrate it better than through the Early Decision Program (EDP).
The requirements of the EDP are simple: Apply by August 1st (for schools participating in AMCAS) to a single school, and promise to attend that school if accepted.
The disadvantages of the EDP are obvious: If you aren’t accepted to your chosen school (and you probably won’t know until October 1st), then your other applications will go out extremely late in the season. As many programs extend interview invitations and then acceptances on a rolling basis, the earlier your application gets in, the better. It’s for this reason that the AAMC cautions that you should only apply for EDP if you think you have an excellent chance of admission.
Another disadvantage is that, by focusing entirely on one program, you’re cutting yourself off from possible funding offers at other schools. Especially if your scores are high, you have a much better chance of finding a program willing to finance your education (not to mention, one that might be a better fit for you) if you spread your net more widely.
So why would anyone put all their eggs in one basket? Because the acceptance rate can be very appealing. In 2011, 27% of applicants applying to Johns Hopkins in the regular cycle were accepted, while nearly 39% of EDP applicants got in. At Columbia, the difference was even marked – 9% in the regular round, 19% EDP – while at Stanford, EDP applicants only got a tiny bump, from 8% to 12%.
Clearly, early decision is not for everyone. But for those who can show they are the perfect fit for their dream school, it might be a chance you want to take.