Hello, my daughter is planning on applying to Boston College and is not sure whether to apply Early Action or Regular Decision. Their website states that it is more difficult to get accepted EA so it seems like RD would be the right way but she is fearful that all of the spots will be taken by Early Action applying students. Please offer advice.
Early Action demonstrates interest and may increase your chances, even if you are initially deferred. If it is her top choice, do it. If not, apply RD.
Depends on her numbers… BC rejects about a third of their early applicants. So if she needs another test score or GPA boost, probably better to wait for RD.
First, consider where your D’s academic stats fit within BC’s standards. Because EA is binding on the part of the school and not binding on the part of the student most colleges only accept EA students that are at least meet or are often above their average profile. Clear rejections will be rejected in the EA round and people who remain in the mix will be deferred to RD so the admissions officers have a chance to compare them to the entire applicant pool.
Second, if your D feels the application can improve with the extra months (ex. re-taking standardized tests, showing very strong grades) then it may be best to wait for the RD round. If the application is complete, then EA can be a good option and it does show strong interest in the school.
I can’t speak for BC, but the Tufts admissions officer who posted here (maybe still does) said that if you are on the cusp they will defer you and that it’s usually because they want to see your senior year grades.(Tufts however has ED not EA.) How many students does BC defer if any? Colleges usually say the EA pool is somewhat stronger - kids who have their act together, are confident their package is as good as it will ever be, and of course a healthy contingent of athletes.
I agree with @happy1. If your D’s stats put her above the 75% range for tests and GPA, then go for it.
We cannot help you without stats.
@mathmom I believe I read (and I may be wrong, so don’t quote me) That BC rejects 1/3 of EA, defers 1/3 of EA, and accepts 1/3 of EA.
If those are the numbers, I wouldn’t be afraid of applying EA.
I just been to a BC information session and the admission officer said that they accept LESS than 1/3 of EA. He said their final acceptance rate is about 30% but their EA is less but I do not remember the exact number (maybe 20%). They use EA to accept the strongests students and they give their very few merit awards only to students that applied EA. He also said they do not consider demonstrated interest to the school. He said nothing about deferring though.
Haven’t you already missed the EA deadline of yesterday?
Depends on the numbers. Approx 85% of BC matriculants were in top decile of their class. If OP is in third decile, for example, its probably a waste to apply without a hook.
I’m not positive so you might want to look into this, but I think if you are rejected EA your application is looked at again the RD pool. Applying EA shows interest and I’ve always heard that you have a better chance because there are less applicants. I applied EA at BC and got in, I’m not sure if the same thing would have happened had I applied RD.
Nope. Not happening. If BC wants to re-review an EA app later in RD, BC will defer that app. If the app is rejected in EA, it is rejected, period.