If early decision existed for PhD admissions...

[Catria]

... would you use ED on any one school, provided that school in question offered that option? If so, which school?

I knew ED was used in graduate education (e.g. law school, med school, business school) but not for a PhD program.

[bsharpe269]

I would at Rice. The PIs there are absolutely amazing!

[GeoDUDE!]

I wouldn't choose any: The application process (interviews ect) changed where I wanted to go to school. If I had to do something like an ED when I applied, it would have been Brown, but I didn't end up filling the application. 

[beccamayworth]

Yeah, I agree with GeoDude, the application process (particularly the visits) really changed my mind regarding my top choices... so I'm definitely glad ED wasn't an option in my case

[Catria]

I would use ED on UPenn... Mark Trodden and Justin Khoury are the ones I want to work under.

[juilletmercredi]

No, because the place I thought was my first choice wasn't.  Also, financial aid changes a lot of things.

[maelia8]

I don't think I'd go for it. Half of the admissions process is visiting, comparing, and reevaluating the places where you are accepted, and I wouldn't want to step into anything blind no matter how good the POIs look on paper.

[themmases]

I might for Minnesota. I did enough research deciding where to apply for MS that I know I want to go there if I do a PhD.

[bsharpe269]

It is pretty funny that everyone who is currently applying (like me) is saying yes to this and everyone who has already gone through process is giving a big no. It makes me excited and curious to visit schools and see if my top choices change alot like everyone keeps suggesting they might.

[geographyrocks]

I wouldn't. Visiting schools also changed my mind. One school looked great on paper, but the department secretary was exceptionally rude when I visited. She told me more than once that I probably wouldn't get in even though I never told her my credentials. Know me then reject me. Lol

Department fit is a huge consideration. You don't want to end up surrounded by jerks.

Edited July 31, 2014 by geographyrocks

[Xavinoid]

Visiting the schools is definitely the most important aspect. I would never do early decision. I'm trying not to favor any of the schools I am applying to so that I can choose the final school based on my personal fit and so on.

[Crucial BBQ]

It depends on how early the EA was.  If you're talking like knowing by the end of December, then yes, I would love to save a potential $1,000 in application fees, having GRE scores sent, transcripts, and so on.  

[Catria]

It depends on how early the EA was.  If you're talking like knowing by the end of December, then yes, I would love to save a potential $1,000 in application fees, having GRE scores sent, transcripts, and so on.  

 

What would you have used SCEA/ED on? (If you mean EA like in undergraduate admissions, then you could EA to more than one)

Edited September 13, 2014 by Catria

[Eigen]

Early applications are great. Back when I applied in the dark ages of many years ago, almost every school did rolling admissions. It was kinda the best of both worlds- you could prioritize your schools, and all my applications were in by mid-September, with decisions back mid-September to early October. 

 

I did my school visits over winter break, and had plenty of time to decide. 

 

As for early decision, no. The schools I had ranked 1, 2 and 3 based on websites, publications, etc. Turned out to be 3, 2 and 1 respectively post-visit. 

[Crucial BBQ]

What would you have used SCEA/ED on? (If you mean EA like in undergraduate admissions, then you could EA to more than one)

I was assuming early action and early decision were the same.  Are they not?  I was a "regular" applicant, so I dunno. 

 

If I absolutely had to choose one....it would be the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute joint program.  

 

It's not about the prestige though.  I really want to move back to New England.  

[Catria]

I was assuming early action and early decision were the same.  Are they not?  I was a "regular" applicant, so I dunno. 

 

If I absolutely had to choose one....it would be the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute joint program.  

 

It's not about the prestige though.  I really want to move back to New England.  

 

The main difference between early action and early decision is whether you're obligated to attend the school if admitted or not.

 

Early action means that, while decisions are rendered in advance, like say, mid-December, you're not committed to the school in any way, if admitted. For this reason, you can write multiple applications under early action, unless one is applying to a school where you cannot write another early action application elsewhere, in which case it is known as single-choice early action.

 

On the other hand, early decision obligates you to attend the school if admitted. The only possible release from the attendance obligation is if you demonstrate financial inability to cover the costs with the financial aid package presented.

[PhDEducation]

Being at the point of just applying to schools if the phone rang for 2/4 right now I would commit without hesitation, I attended ASU for undergrad and love the people and location, the professors are exceptional, and UNLV simply has the program I dream about Teacher Education