Dartmouth College ED, Yale College SCEA, Columbia College ED, or UPenn (CAS) ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. I actually wanted to ask you all a question regarding pieces of advice on the college admissions process. So I’m actually a rising sophomore in high school who’s generally been interested in the nation’s top schools for the longest time, but haven’t really started looking at school specifics, pros/cons, and programs until my freshman year of high school. I can inarguably say that my top choices for college are Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, and UPenn (I will be visiting each of these schools along with a few other institutions within the next six months). However, the question arises as to which school I would apply early to, due to the fact that I have seen stellar and attractive qualities in each of these four schools. I want to be able to apply to my top college choice early (and the others, if rejected/deferred), and would be willing to make a binding commitment to do so. I’m just curious as to what you all think, as I am just gleaning advice before senior year!

  • I really do enjoy city life, but being in a "nature-y" and rural-type environment is also something that really sparks an interest in my eyes.
  • I play the violin and would like to attend a school with a strong music program (I know all the schools have amazing ones).
  • I would be interested in pursuing a double major in Molecular Biology (pre-medicine) and Musical Performance.
  • I want to be able to find a strong and diverse religious association with each of the schools as I want to see a vast variety of various cultures at my supposed college.
  • Various research opportunities for undergraduates is a must for me, and I prefer having an undergraduate focus at the school of my choice.
  • I just thought I'd mention that I've always had a gut feeling about Dartmouth (never having visited) and how it could be my top selection because there are so many splendid factors there that appeal to me. Then again, my views change very often and all the other schools have great factors as well!

I’ll be sure to post this in the other forums as well.

Thank you for your guidance!

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To be honest you really need to wait until you have a full picture of your application profile (GPA, standardized testing scores, etc.). It may be that applying early/ED to any of these schools is not in your best interest. You seem to be thinking about “picking my reach school.” You need to do that AFTER you determine that it is even an accessible reach. Otherwise it is a waste of money, effort, and your early advantage- if you choose to use it anywhere. There are many, many schools that offer what you list as things you are looking for.

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These and many, many other schools are great schools, but there are so many different factors, especially in the eye of the beholder, that make them very different. The 4 that you have picked are at the opposite ends of the spectrum on a variety of important factors. The question of fit is something only you can answer, but I encourage you to talk to current students/very recent alums in addition to doing campus visits.

There is a lot of very good discussion on ED vs EA throughout CC. I encourage you to go through those as you narrow your choices towards the end of junior year. I completely agree with @donnaleighg that it is much too early to be narrowing your list and considerations. Absolutely aspire high, go visit some campuses, get an idea of which colleges interest you and what you need to be a competitive applicant, but the funnel should be wide now.