Is applying ED worth the financial risk for aid?

Admissionsearly decisionfinancial aidapplication strategycollege admissions

Honestly, I've been going back and forth about whether to apply early decision (ED) or not. My top school is definitely a reach, and I'm worried about how financial aid plays into that. It feels like such a gamble!

I've heard that applying ED can give a boost in acceptance rates, but what if I don't get enough aid? Have any of you been in a similar boat? How did you weigh the pros and cons? Was the acceptance boost worth the potential financial strain?

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