<p>I am considering applying to Early Decision (at Vanderbilt). My GPA and Test Scores are at the main bottom edge of admitted students there. I was wondering if it would be best to apply early decision (already have my entire application finished pretty much) or hold off and apply Early Decision II which has a January 1 deadline and retake the ACT and SAT one more time and try my best to improve there and also try to bring up my GPA some come mid-year reports and perhaps I might be a more competitive applicant than. I think I can bring my ACT up a good 2 points or so if I retake it before applying.</p>
<p>I know Vanderbilt have nearly a 35% admission rate ED compared to there typical 13% or so. So it seems like students applying ED have a considerably better chance.
So I am having a bit of trouble weighing it would be more in my favor to apply ED with the scores I have. Or hold off till ED 2 when I can submit a bit better scores.. I also heard that is you apply ED they will not place you on wait list or anything like that. And I know a lot of students that have got in to like there dream school from wait list and it has been a big help to them..</p>
<p>So yeah, any advice would be much appreciated!!</p>
<p>That’s always what you need to weigh - current info vs. potentially better info later. You won’t go on a waitlist from ED but you may get your application pushed back to compete in the RD pool. Before you apply ED, though, make sure you run the Net Price Calculator to see if your family can afford the school. </p>
<p>Since ED2 is available, trying to improve your test scores is probably the best idea. But what do you mean by “bottom edge”? Is the the bottom 25% or the bottom of the mid-50%? Unless you’re hooked, that bottom 25% is generally not going to get you in, even ED. You definitely need to try and hit the 25-75% range to have a decent chance.</p>
<p>Another thought, if you’re going for ED2, there’s nothing to stop you from taking a flyer at a comparable REA or SCEA school before filing the ED2 app.</p>
<p>By bottom range of those admitted I mean my ACT is about 1-2 points below the middle 25-75% range they give. And my GPA is just barely below that middle 25-75% range… </p>
<p>I have already checked out the calculator and contacted someone is financial aid there and was able to come up with an estimate of the total cost. And it is by far one of the most feasible schools for me finically. </p>
<p>I will probably just wait and apply ED 2 seeing as it has a January 1 deadline (and they say on the website December test scores will arrive in time for ED 2)</p>
<p>One question… If applied ED 2 at Vanderbilt. I could still apply Non-Binding early action to a couple other schools correct? I would just have to withdraw those applications if accepted at Vanderbilt per the ED Agreement?</p>
<p>So you are in the bottom 25%. In that case, your chance to be admitted at ED without hook is not high. You probably want to improve your score. Note that you have both your GPA and ACT below the 25th percentile.</p>
<p>Yes, you can apply anywhere EA. SCEA and REA complicates matters a little bit, but having a baseline by getting an EA acceptance is always a stress reliever.</p>