<p>is it a good idea? i'm seriously considering vanderbilt and will only apply early decision if i'm 110% sure that it's the school for me. the problem is that it's a moderate reach for me. even if i'm going to get rejected, i'd at least like to know that i put my best effort forth to get in and increased my chances. i know that if i decide to apply regular i'll wonder if i could have gotten in if i had applied ED. what do you all think? would applying ED at vanderbilt increase my chances?</p>
<p>my top two schools right now are vanderbilt and university of miami. i definitely want to get into UM, so do you think it would be better to just apply ED to miami? i probably have a better shot there, but i'd probably take vandy over miami.</p>
<p>and last question (sorry for so many)
even if i got into a reach school would it be worth going to? i mean i don't want to struggle because of the intensity and i don't want to be one of the dumber people there and not even be all that dumb lol.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>ED most likely will increase your chances, and if it's a "moderate" reach i say go for it. If it was a super-duper reach, like if you're applying to tier 2 schools and EA to MIT or something, that's a bit of a waste of the early decision card because you only get one. But if it's a moderate reach then i say it will definitely increase your chances and so you should go for it.</p>
<p>And if you get in i doubt you will struggle and be the dumbest one there. I dont think that's a concern most people have. If they chose you and let you in they probably saw potential in you and believe that you can do well otherwise why would they have let you in? Don't not try your hardest though.</p>
<p>thanks narcissa, i'll talk about that with my college counselor to confirm that it's a moderate reach. if so, then i'm thinking i'd go with ED. i have a 3.7 out of 4.0 weighted GPA (no SATs yet--taking in a week) and i'd like to think i have good ECs lol. i don't think i'd stand a chance against all the people applying regular with 4.0s. we'll see though, thanks for the help.</p>
<p>if you are sure that vandy is your top choice, then apply early. don't just apply there to increase your chances. i made that mistake. i applied ED to Penn [Wharton] simply because it's the best business school in the world. it was a reach for me, as it is for everyone, and i got rejected. i wish that i could have used my early decision opportunity at a school that i loved more, like Northwestern. i wound up getting waitlisted at northwestern regular decision, when i think i would have gotten in early.</p>
<p>so basically, if you are applying because you absolutely love the school, then do so. otherwise, apply early to somewhere that you love more, like Miami.
but to answer your question, applying early does increase your chances. </p>
<p>and one last note, you probably will love Vanderbilt. i just visited this weekend, and now I am going there in the fall =D</p>
<p>Make sure that you love the school enough that if you get in, without regret, you'll withdraw your other applications, and then will happily go there.</p>
<p>Also, if you have any concerns about money, do not apply ED. What your parents feel they can pay may be far less than what the college calculates their contribution to be. It is extremely hard getting out of ED even for financial reasons, so have a serious talk with your parents before applying ED -- and make sure they thoroughly check out the financial aspect.</p>
<p>mrchipmunk, congrats on vanderbilt! i visited in march and got the best vibe out of all the schools i've visited so far... i think i'll apply ED but i still have a while to think about it. that's a good point you make though about using the ED option so i'll carefully think it through before i come to a final decision.</p>
<p>northstarmom, thanks for the advice too. i don't think it's a problem but i'll make sure we're financially set before anything else.</p>