Is it true that the acceptance rates for early registration are higher than regular registration?

Question

I read a book that says the difference between acceptance rates for early and regular registration can be as high as 15 to 20 per cent!

Is this true?

Answer 1

Absolutely! Colleges are more willing to accept you as an applicant if they know you're committed to their school. Acceptance rates are even higher if the application is binding, meaning that if you are accepted, you must agree to attend the school and not apply anywhere else.  

Answer 2

It's true, but not why most people think.

The early round is when "hooked" applicants apply: recruited athletes (17% of the class), legacies (about 15%), faculty children and other "friends and family" of the college. These numbers are for ivy league schools by the way.

A candidate that doesn't fall into one of those groups has no better chance.

At schools ranked lower, ED does sometimes help as it improves their yield since you must attend if accepted.