<p>I'm thinking of applying early action to James Madison, but their website states that:
[quote]
Early Action is more competitive than the Regular Decision process. To be admitted through Early Action, a student needs to be superior in curriculum, grades, test scores and extracurricular activities. For the class entering in the 2006 Fall semester, 49 percent of the students deferred from Early Action to Regular Decision were eventually admitted. Students who apply through the Early Action process do not have an advantage over students who apply Regular Decision.
[/quote]
Am I correct in assuming that, if i would be accepted RD, i would be either accepted or differed EA? Or could i be flat out rejected EA when i would otherwise have been accepted. I would really like to apply early to hear back as soon as possible</p>
<p>Also, my stats are 3.5w(3.2uw maybe, school doesn't report it though) and 2080(1370)</p>
<p>It helps and it hurts, it hurts in that most schools only accept a certain number of EA applicants and they can look more detailed into your app. On the other hand they can read yuor essays more thoroughly and that could help you along with the fact that it shows interest in there school.</p>
<p>I don't know about JMU, but do they defer and NOT reject early applicants? It seems to me from that quote that they do, so you have nothing to lose.</p>
<p>I'm not really competitive for Georgetown SFS EA (2030 SAT) but they only defer, so why not?</p>
<p>For EA, they only accept students they know would have gotten accepted in RD.</p>
<p>Give their admissions office a call and ask for specifics. Make sure you call at least 2 times and talk to different people (most admissions personnel have no idea what they are talking about so it's always good to get a second answer). Make sure that early decision applicants do not get thrown out of the pile if not accepted EA. If that is the case and they will automatically place your application in the regular decision process, you have nothing to lose if you apply EA.</p>
<p>Here is the straight scoop. You are NOT at any disadvantage to apply early action to JMU. Indeed, you could actually help your chances since adcoms could interpret your applying EA to indicate true interest in matriculating if accepted. I believe that it conveys additional interest in their school. Yes, JMU's EA is more competitive than regular admissions. You will either be rejected or deferred to regular decision. My sibling applied EA and was deferred to regular admission. He was ultimately accepted. </p>
<p>As for the poster who indicated that those in the admissions office "have no idea what they are talking about"......I find this comment to be ignorant. Admissions offices are usually staffed with very well trained people. Sometimes you will get a student who is answering phones, etc. You can always ask to speak to an admissions officer. A school the caliber of JMU will have very informed adcoms who will be happy to answer your questions. </p>