<p>GPA - uw 3.4, w 3.6
Schedule - MOST challenging - at least according to my counselor
AP: 6 (Bio, US Hist, Chem, Gov, Calc AB, Eng Lit)
Honors: 2 (Foreign Language, Eng Lang)
College Credit: 2 (Ceramics, Psychology)
Class rank: Top 20% (no specific rank)</p>
<p>SAT: 2190 (CR 740, M 730, W 720) or 1470 (CR+M)
SAT II: Math 2 (750+), Bio (700+)</p>
<p>*PLEASE note, downward trend (slightly, by .1-ish). have a D my freshman year (geometry). C- and C+ from AP Bio in junior year; but with weighted, it's an upward trend.</p>
<p>Extracurricular:
Intern - Harper's BAZAAR
Intern - (another fashion magazine)
Badminton (4 years - co-captain)
Science Club (Treasurer)
Asian Club (co-captain)
Art Club (VP)
NSLC - Public Relations
Writer for online essay club (co-founder)</p>
<p>Volunteer: Beach clean up (3yrs), library volunteer (3yrs), and reading partner (2yrs)</p>
<p>Major: Communication (College of Arts & Sciences)</p>
<ul>
<li>California resident</li>
<li>Permanent resident (not citizen)</li>
<li>Female</li>
<li>Asian</li>
<li>Attending CA public school (not extremely competitive)</li>
</ul>
<p>I would apply EA to see if you get accepted in Dec. as opposed to Jan. Your GPA is a little low but your SAT is very strong for BC. My daughter is entering her junior year there and LOVES it!</p>
<p>Besides the benefit of finding out early, it seems as if Boston College doesn’t encourage less than stellar students to apply for their EA plan. I believe I will be facing tougher competition in EA pool (as BC says themselves that EA will be harder than the RD pool + the fact presidential scholars must apply EA) , but should I still apply EA?</p>
<p>I’m just extremely unsure and worried after reading more on BC’s website…</p>
<p>Your test scores are above the 75th%-tile for BC though I suspect that your GPA is below the 50th%-tile, (If I had to guess I suspect BC’s median admitted GPA is in the 3.6-3.8 range). </p>
<p>On the BC forum, BC-EA appears to be a tougher admit than RD. I suspect you will be admitted RD; I think you have a lower, but still good chance, to be admitted EA. Furthermore, BC’s is a restricted EA, so you will be committing to not applying anywhere else EA or ED - does that affect your decision?</p>
<p>Personally I don’t understand the value of restricted EA to the student. You give up your option of applying to other schools EA all for the opportunity to swim in an admittedly more competitive pool. So what’s the advantage?</p>
<p>Actually, here is Boston College’s policy on Early Action straight from their website:</p>
<p>“Boston College does not permit students to apply under Early Action if they are applying to a binding Early Decision program at another college. Students are free to apply to other Early Action and Regular Decision programs.”</p>
<p>She can still apply to other schools EA. And the advantage of EA at BC is that you must EA to be eligible for the Presidential Scholarship.</p>
<p>Anyway, your extracurriculars make you seem pretty well rounded and interesting with art, literary magazines, interns, and badminton (not the stereotypical Asian math/science genius + tennis), but I’m not too sure about your grades. They might overlook a D in freshman year simply because it’s freshman year and everyone makes mistakes, but a C in AP biology… I don’t know.</p>
<p>But your overall GPA’s not terrible. I’m sure if you write amazing essays you’ll have a chance getting in EA! If not, worst that’ll happen is that you’ll be deferred… and then probably accepted RD. Just make sure your essays really show your passion and your personality.</p>
<p>Thanks vinceh and mangoes. BC’s EA policy is just like mangoes said. No other ED, but allowed to apply for any other EA schools I’d like simultaneously.
Unfortunately, I’m truly no the typical Asian with math/science/tennis skills, as my rather unique (for an Asian) ECs show. But my grades aren’t great at all. I’ll make sure to keep all your advices, and pray that I will be accepted, EA or RD. Thank you!</p>
<p>Transfer some of that spiritual energy into writing great essays conveying who you are. BC, being a Jesuit school, wants to educate the whole person. They want a well-rounded applicant. My daughter had a higher GPA than you, BUT your test scores are higher. She had really distinctive essays and I’m sure that helped her. Work hard your fall semester and try to get straight A’s to show an upward trend. Applying RD would help you improve your stats/resume somewhat, so that is probably the right path to take. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks jshain, but so I’m guessing if I believe my stats would increase RD is the better option. But if I believe nothing will change overall, should I stick with EA?</p>
<p>I would look into raising your GPA somewhat to show an upswing in your grades in the fall. The only way to do that is to apply RD. If you think you won’t be able to do that, then apply EA. My feeling, however, is that BC may consider GPA and EC’s more heavily over SAT scores since they stress educating the whole person in their Jesuit traditions. My daughter’s friends all seem to have strong GPAs even though their scores may not have been as strong. Good luck to you on whichever path you take in the application process.</p>