<p>I don’t know my rank yet, but I’m planning to apply ED. The problem is, I know my rank will be significantly higher after 1st semester senior year. WHAT SHOULD I DO? (I know this is early to ask, but hey-I just need a little assurance) Regular with better ranking/ED being in say, TOP 15%?</p>
<p>If you go here [Brown</a> Admission: Facts & Figures](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University), you’ll see that the acceptance rate for students in the second tenth and lower was 3%. </p>
<p>If your high school is very competitive (like a Stuyvesant or Thomas Jefferson), then it is possible to get in with rank out of the top tenth. Otherwise, you really need an amazing hook to get in.</p>
<p>A classic rule of thumb is that you should hold off on ED if your record will significantly improve after first semester senior year.</p>
<p>Gotcha. Thanks!</p>
<p>93% of the students in Brown’s most recent admitted class were in the top 10% of their high school class. So, you do have a shot if you are not. But I would guess that most of those students have a persuasive hook or two.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that if it’s your top choice, and you’d go without fail, and judging by your username you would, apply ED.</p>
<p>The worst that could happen is they defer you!</p>
<p>Actually, they could reject him…</p>
<p>That too. But it can also happen in RD. It’s worth giving it a shot.</p>
<p>Yeah if I apply ED i’d be happy to get deferred (I mean being accepted would be awesome…)…I just want them to know how Brown is my top choice</p>
<p>Two of my S’s classmates neither of whom are in the top 20% (yes 20%) got in ED for 2013. It is important to know, however, that these students attend an “elite” private school where the minimum weighted GPA in the top 20% is over 90. Also, one of the accepted students is an URM. Of students applying RD, one in the top 10% was waitlisted and two in the 10-20% range were rejected. If you really want to go to Brown apply ED. BTW, a similar situation occurred with Penn.</p>
<p>Elite privates and magnet schools are the exceptions to the rule (in fact, most of those don’t even rank). At elite privates, the guidance staff talks to an admissions rep, one on one, to figure out who gets in.</p>
<p>Look, I’ve been interviewing students for years. Many times there are wonderful kids who have done amazing things – but have weak grades/rank. Not one of these kids have gotten in. Sure apply – but do it with your eyes wide open. If you are the lucky one who gets in, then you have 100% success. But please build a reasonable list of colleges to apply to, with a secure safety. If you are below the top tenth at most high schools, the chances of getting into the top schools is very slim. And also remember that the ED edge very often goes to athletes and legacies.</p>
<p>My school is top 50 according to the USNEWS, so I go to a really competitive school.</p>
<p>Anyway, the point is…Is it better to apply ED being in top 15% or regular being in top 10%?</p>
<p>I know there’s no definite answer, but as fireanddrain said, I guess I should hold off ED…? gosh…</p>
<p>How many kids does your high school send to Brown each year?</p>
<p>around 3-5…Mostly regular tho!</p>
<p>My school hasn’t sent anyone to Brown ever.</p>
<p>One girl got into Harvard four years ago.</p>
<p>Then you should probably be ok holding out for regular, if that’s what you want to do…</p>
<p>Brown is generally pretty stingy about admitting multiple people from one school, especially if there is no history of that happening at a place. So if you’re school gets 3-5 kids in regularly, it’s not like that slot is going to be taken up by someone in ED, drastically reducing your chances before you’re even entered the field. </p>
<p>Basically, it’s up to you because of that. </p>
<p>I’d just be looking to present the strongest application possible.</p>
<p>Only exceptional students should apply ED. There is no question about that. This applies to all the ivies. Most students that get waitlisted ED eventually get rejected because they are never given the same type of “look” the second time around during the application review.</p>
<p>I say, apply RD.</p>
<p>" Only exceptional students should apply ED. There is no question about that. This applies to all the ivies. Most students that get waitlisted ED eventually get rejected because they are never given the same type of “look” the second time around during the application review."</p>
<p>Completely disagree. Some people seem to have forgotten that even after adjusting for athlete/legacy inflation, the ~24% ED acceptance rate is ALWAYS going to be kinder than the ~8% RD acceptance rate… It’s not hard to see why.</p>
<p>Yeah, I always kind of pegged ED as something that benefits the not-quite-as-qualified students.</p>
<p>There’s less competition overall in terms of total numbers, you’re not going to be competing against people holding out for Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Stanford, and you’re showing that Brown clearly is your top choice. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, your resume isn’t going to change very much during your Senior year of high school. That happens to not be the case with the OP. </p>
<p>I mean, there’s only so much you can boost your GPA or SAT scores, and any added clubs are going to seem like resume tack-ons.</p>
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<p>The problem is that most students applying RD are the “cream of the top” students anyway. The school wont make a commitment to a less than stellar applicant at that time, just because they applied early. Furthermore, if you are deferred for consideration to RD, your application wont get the same attention as the rest, the second time around (this is a fact). And this will lead to a likely rejection.
The inference that you make from the ED percentage is not exactly correct. I have discussed this with many (MANY) advisors for Ivy Admissions and they all recommend applying regular decision UNLESS the student is a top notch applicant. I would trust their recommendation over any kind of speculation. After all, that’s their job …and their experience.</p>