Disadvantages of Regular Decision and other questions

<p>Hi guys, so I put off my application for a while and I just noticed now that it is the end of November and the deadline for Priority Review will pass very soon. If I apply regular decision, will this be detrimental to my chances at receiving a sizable merit scholarship? Also, should I interview before submitting my application or after? And lastly, which score is better: 1530 (CR+M) / 2230 SAT or a 34 ACT? If my GPA and rank is a little low (Still top 10%), will I have a decent shot at merit scholarships?</p>

<p>RD applicants are considered for all possible merit awards–including the Renaissance and Global Scholarship. Your chances of recieving a merit award depend on a multitude of of factors, including the diversity you bring to campus, the need of the university and the strength of the pool of other applicants this year.</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter whether you interview before or after submitting your application–so long as your interview report is complete and has been appended to your file before admission decisions are made. </p>

<p>Your SAT and ACT scores are equivalent.</p>

<p>See this concordance table:
[Compare</a> ACT and SAT Scores | ACT](<a href=“http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/]Compare”>http://www.act.org/solutions/college-career-readiness/compare-act-sat/)</p>

<p>Thank you for the very informational post. If the SAT and ACT are approximately the same would it be safer to send the SAT as the majority do so?</p>

<p>Do you have SAT 2 scores to go with the SAT? If they are a couple of 800s, the SAT2 scores with SAT might look better. If they are lower or you don’t have them, I imagine the 34 ACT is a little stronger because it has science in it. But then DS did better on his SAT and his SAT 2 scores were solid, so we didn’t have that decision to make, so I haven’t considered it much.</p>

<p>In terms of interviewing, call and set up an interview appt. for as soon as they have an opening. You can send in the application before the interview but you want the interview to be considered in the process if possible. </p>

<p>So if you can get your application in by Dec 1 you can set up the interview in December sometime. Your application is evaluated in stages so you have time. I think you can still get have your SAT scores arrive after Dec 1 as well.</p>

<p>You also will be given an opportunity to send in a friends and family letter of recommendation (UR sends a form) so decide who you will ask to do that so there are no delays in getting that out.</p>

<p>@Daddio3: My SAT 2’s aren’t that stellar. I did well on my Math 2 Sat but my Biology is lacking. I got a 36 on the science section in the ACT though. I guess I’ll go with the ACT.</p>

<p>@Lakemom: I would have loved to sent them in by Dec 1 for Priority review but our school requires us to meet with the counselor prior to submission and I hadn’t done so. I’ll just have to settle for regular decision so there is time for everything.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies.</p>