<p>Look, my reach school is wake forest university. I have a 91 average with a good amount of extra curricular and got a 30 on my ACT. i want to apply ED to wake forest but my family is hugely against it. they think its too hard for me and that if i apply ED i'm stuck going there. They think that because its a reach im going to fail out or do really bad. They say it to me so many times that it makes myself ask that question. Should i seriously consider going to my reach school if i hypothetically get accepted or should i go to one of my target schools where i know i will do well and not have to worry about grades? i just want my parents to be happy with where i go and i just want them to get off my back and leave me alone saying how im "not trying hard enough."</p>
<p>I think you need to sit down with your family and discover their real objections to WF. Let’s face it, it’s going to be really tough to go there if they object, since they’re the ones paying the bills. In fact, they can stop you from applying ED, since parents have to sign off on that on the Common App. Where would they prefer you go and what are your thoughts? </p>
<p>It could be that there’s some hidden objection to applying to WF that’s the real reason they object. A common one is distance, some parents don’t want their kids too far from the nest, and hobble them in their choices. That sucks, and it’s not fair, but it does happen. You’ll probably be able to overcome this one with enough discussion. (Our family has the opposite rule. All children will be at least two states away. Do your own laundry!)</p>
<p>Perhaps it’s the political environment, or the culture of the school. Have you all visited? Maybe they’re putting themselves in your place and objecting because it’s a place they wouldn’t choose. If that’s the case you need to remind them that you’re the one going to school, not them. Again, logic might win this one.</p>
<p>It could be a money thing, perhaps they are afraid they really can’t afford it, but can’t tell you that. That might be something you have to accept, but they need to be honest about it. They might want you to apply RD and be able to shop offers. Again, they need to tell you that. This might not be something you can overcome, but at least you’ll understand why. (I see parents doing this to kids at our school right now. They’ve got a shot at a Top 3 and are being told to move way down the list where they can get a full ride. Cheapness on the parents part, which is not cool. Parents, if you can’t afford it, you need to be honest WAAY before senior year, when hopes are already built up.)</p>
<p>Finally, about that “too hard” thing. Unless your test scores and entire high school career were a fluke, no school is going to admit you if they think you can’t do the work. That’s the prime thing they screen for first - Can this student do the work at this school? They have no interest in seeing anyone fail. So, if they let you in, they think you can do it. You need to know that, and your family needs to know that. However, I have a gut feeling that the real objection may be that you aren’t going to be near the top of the class at WF, you’ll probably be somewhere near the middle. They may not be ready for that. If you are, you need to explain that and let them know you’re up for the challenge.</p>
<p>Above all, listen to their objections and think about them. They might have a point, but no harm will come from talking about it. I think in the end, they’ll wind up supporting you, whatever your decision.</p>
<p>I think MrMom made some excellent points. I would only add to the “too hard” argument. It is extremely common for students to thrive at college. It is less common but not unusual for some to nosedive. The common factor is discipline. In the first case, the student revels in the independence and channels it wisely to meet the challenge of college level work and excel. In the second case, that same independence is used to party all the time and ignore their responsibilities. Without getting into secondary discussions of personality types, home atmosphere during childhood development, etc., it is usually not the academic material itself that proves too be too hard, especially for a student that can score a 30 ACT and an A- average throughout high school. Sure, there will be particular subjects that prove challenging, but that is why there are many resources for help at high level schools like Wake.</p>
<p>As long as you are steady with your class attendance and studying, and if you take advantage of office hours, help sessions, etc. if needed, there is zero reason you would not succeed beautifully at Wake or any similar school. MrMom is dead on when he says Wake wouldn’t take you if they didn’t see you could do the work. Believe me, they have been doing this for a long time, they know what they are doing in their admissions process. The same would pertain to Tulane and wherever else you are applying.</p>
<p>hi fallenchemist. i have in a way toned back on wake forest. i decided not to apply ED becuase of my parents being against the whole idea of binding yourself to a school. I thought money was not an issue but after finding out we do not qualify for financial aid, they were hesitant. They thought if i applied ED they would take advantage of that and give me zero aid/money whatsoever. they thought that because i applied ED it would give wake the idea that we were okay will paying the full amount no matter what. which i kind of understand. </p>
<p>so i am now just applying regular. I hate to be rough on myself but ihave trouble seeing myself get in there. they will see my first semester grades which are not the best due to the silly move of taking the hardest classes possible. plus, the act is really all i have going for me. i am not the president of the class or anything special. Plus, i have kids in my grade applying who are much smarter than me. so that is why i have toned down my love towards wake. i would rather not get my hopes up and then rejected.</p>
<p>I understand. Hard to say about the ED thing and financial aid. Different schools handle it differently and I am not sure about Wake. But it is true that some schools say don’t apply ED if money is likely to be an issue. Frankly, as I mentioned, there are similar schools where you have a good shot. What is it that you liked about Wake so much? Maybe I can recommend some other schools besides where you already applied, Tulane. Where else have you applied?</p>