Changes for Early Decision

<p>I am a high school senior planning on majoring in international studies and business. What do you think my chances of geting in ED are?</p>

<p>State: Louisiana
ACT: 31 (35 English, 35 Reading, 29 Math, 25 Science) <em>retaking in September</em>
Religion: Roman Catholic</p>

<p>GPA: 3.85 unweighted at a very competitive residential high school that teaches all classes at the college-level. My school neither ranks nor weights GPA, but is good enough to have been listed as one of Newsweek's Public Elites in past years.</p>

<p>Senior Schedule (year): Calculus II, Physics III, Latin Poetry, U.S. Foreign Policy, Creative Writing- Drama, British Literature, Era of FDR, Urban Social History, and Photography.</p>

<p>EC's:
- Founder and owner of a small business, Fastlane Web Media, which makes a modest amount of money but not a lot.
- 200+ volunteer hours at hospital.
- Designed website for said hospital as well as local high school.
- 2-year internship with National Center for Preservation Technology Training (a government agency that is part of the National Park Service)
- #2 at State Literary Rally in Computer Science (9th grade)
- Speech & Debate President
-JCL (Junior Classical League) (went to state convention and placed in numerous events)
-NHS
-Ambassadors
-Tech Squad
-Newspaper</p>

<p>Assume:
Recs: Great to outstanding
Essay: Excellent</p>

<p>So, what do you think my chances are?</p>

<p>Given that ND has EA, not ED, I would say 0 :). I would apply RD, I don't think your application is quite strong enough to apply EA, and honestly I think ND may be a bit of a reach. It is hard to tell though because your school doesn't rank (mine didn't either, I think it hurts the students) but that is my gut feeling. Good luck.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback. Looking back at my thread, it looks like I made a few typographical errors. I meant to put EA, not ED. I guess my mind is getting convoluted from all the apps I've been filling out.</p>

<p>According to statistics provided to me by the guidance office at my school, 3/5 students who have applied to NH in the last three years have been admitted. These students had an average GPA of 3.82 and average of 30 on the ACT. </p>

<p>I noticed that if you apply EA and get rejected, you cannot reapply RD. Do you think I stand a good chance of geting rejected EA, or is there a higher likelihood of me being deferred RD? I guess if I apply RD I will have a chance to bring my ACT up and increase my GPA a bit, so that might be a good idea.</p>

<p>Don't bother asking chances if you'll get defensive when someone doesn't think your def in.</p>

<p>Did my post look defensive? If you read it more closely, you'll notice that I agreed that RD might be a better route for me.</p>

<p>"According to statistics provided to me by the guidance office at my school, 3/5 students who have applied to NH in the last three years have been admitted. These students had an average GPA of 3.82 and average of 30 on the ACT."
See my point...</p>

<p>No, not really. This is a chances thread. In order to get the best evaluation possible, it is important to provide as much information as possible. Notre Dame puts a large amount of emphasis on your secondary school record, and knowing that students from your institution have had decent admit rates to a certain college in the past is a good indicator of how that college feels about your school. </p>

<p>I am open to any feedback people may have about my chances and appreciate everyone's input, regardless of what they say. But if you don't have anything meaningful to contribute to my thread, please don't post.</p>

<p>Though this is another '09-er speaking here, I would say it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any reservations about EA, then wait until RD. It'll be a very rough four extra months of waiting, but worth it if in the end you get that acceptance letter. Consult an ND admissions rep, too, if you haven't already, and get their perspective on things. They will tell you right out if you should apply RD.<br>
Regarding your stats, it definitely will help to get that ACT up a few points. A 31 is an awesome score, but obviously at ND it's only the 25th percentile or so. Raising that number removes a potential rejection point in your application. As for your GPA, it ties back to that whole waiting for RD thing--if you can get strong grades 1st semester this year and raise that GPA even more, it will only serve to make your application that much stronger.
Of course, I am no admissions counselor myself, but hopefully this advice confirms your own opinions or gives you some direction for your college decisions. I wish you luck with your application, no matter which route you choose for ND--EA or RD!</p>

<p>Actually, yeah your post was a bit defensive because when the person doubted your chance at EA, you provided statistics that made you look like you had a better chance. You're not at the top of the pool with your grades and ACT scores, so definitely wait for Regular Decision. EA really should only be used if you are almost sure you can get in.</p>

<p>Your ECs do look pretty nice.</p>