Should I apply Early Decision if I'm not completely sure it's my first-choice college?

If you are not reasonably sure it is your first choice, Early Decision usually is not the best move.

ED is meant for a school you would attend over your other realistic options if admitted. If you are still actively comparing programs, campus culture, location, or cost, Regular Decision is often the better fit because it preserves flexibility.

The biggest issue is not just being emotionally unsure. It is whether you have enough information to make a binding commitment. If you have not compared financial aid expectations, visited or researched deeply, or thought through how it stacks up against your other top schools, that is a sign to wait.

A useful test is this: if that college admitted you tomorrow, would you immediately withdraw every other application and feel good about it? If your honest answer is no, or even probably not, do not apply ED.

If you like the school a lot but are not fully ready to commit, check whether it offers Early Action. That gives you an earlier answer without the same obligation. If not, applying RD is completely reasonable and often the smarter choice when you need time to compare.