<p>I can't decide whether to apply to Tulane EA (deadline rapidly approaching) or wait and go the RD route. The more I discover about the school, the more I really like it and can see myself attending. I will explain my dilemma in more detail.</p>
<p>I am graduating a year early, mostly due to the fact that I started high school early in an accelerated program. I came to this decision only last month when I discovered from my GC that I will have only one incomplete credit (English) at the end of this year and that I will have taken most all of the advanced courses available to me. I immediately discussed the possibility with my parents, who agreed that the idea made sense, and hurried to register for the SAT and ACT. </p>
<p>Which brings me to the issue. I was hoping that my score on the SAT would be stellar, but I had either stomach flu or a severe issue with nerves and this was not the case. I ended up with a 1970 (670CR/650M/650W), which was well below what I had been scoring on the SAT practice tests. It was also the first real test I ever took; I have since taken the PSAT and the ACT and I believe I did a lot better on those, though I don't have scores back yet so I don't know for sure.</p>
<p>So, should I wait at least for the ACT score to apply? I think scores are available online on Nov 9th so I could squeak in by the EA deadline. I am also registered for the Nov SAT this Saturday. Should I wait to see how do on that one? I just don't know.. :/</p>
<p>One key question is do you need merit scholarship money? Obviously they are always nice to have, but if money isn’t really an issue, then you should go ahead and apply. If you are not applying EA anywhere else, then apply SCEA. And even besides what I just said about merit scholarships, if your ACT and/or your SAT retest come in pretty high you can always go back to Tulane and ask they reassess your scholarship situation, especially since you were not feeling 100% for the SAT, for whatever reason. I am assuming your GPA and EC’s are pretty strong. They obviously are factors as well.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I wouldn’t wait. If your GPA is fairly strong (I would say 3.6+ UW) and you are top 20% of your class, you have a good shot already. The stronger your stats are over my “minimum” stated, the better off you are and the scholarship would be the only other issue.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your reply. I definitely need merit scholarship money and should have mentioned that in the original post.</p>
<p>My GPA is a 3.92 UW (around a 4.4 W) and I just completed first term with a 4.0 UW with 5 AP classes plus 1 Honors. My school uses the quarter system so that should show up on my transcript going out this week. My school-related ECs are good for being a junior. I also have a part time job I love, and an unpaid internship in a field I am passionate about. </p>
<p>I am concerned about class rank since my school is very competitive (top 1st or 2nd public HS in the state with the IB and lots of AP classes), but doesnt weight grades in rankings. Pretty sure I am in the top 20% at least, though. Being a junior puts me at even more of a disadvantage. I have heard about having class standing changed to senior status (essentially skipping 11th grade instead) can help with that.</p>
<p>So, just to clarify, do you think waiting until my ACT score is available in a week so I can include it on the application, and applying SCEA is my best option?</p>
<p>Great GPA. Your Guidance Counselor can address the class rank issue in their rec. Here is what I would do I think. Go ahead and get the app in (I would go SCEA), get your transcripts and recs in, and then have the ACT sent when you know your score. You don’t have to send the SAT, obviously. Just get everything else in now so that when the ACT is in you can immediately have it sent to Tulane and then your application will be complete. If your ACT comes in around 32, you will definitely get merit money, 33 or 34+ will mean a very good offer, IMO. And again, if when you retake the SAT your really score high, you can also have those sent and have the offer improved, if the ACT isn’t quite what you hope.</p>
<p>Once you get your score, come back on and we can discuss your next steps. A really good score might even put you in line for a full tuition scholarship. Let’s just wait and see.</p>
<p>That sounds great. I talked to my GC today and she will look at my rank when it updates on Thursday to see if changing to senior status will improve my standing. Either way, she said she is writing a very personalized letter to Tulane that will address rank, unweighted GPA and my early graduation. I also called Tulane today because I remembered I had already submitted part I of the application and was pretty sure I hadn’t indicated SCEA. They assured me that all I needed to do was send an email and they would make that change. I will send off part II later tonight and will update once I know the ACT score. Thanks again for all your help, fallenchemist! :D</p>
<p>My pleasure and GOOD LUCK!!</p>