Early Action - First Choice?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Just a quick question...</p>

<p>When you apply early action (NOT single-choice) to a school, do the admissions officers assume that it is your first choice school?</p>

<p>If not, is there a way to communicate this to the admissions officers?</p>

<p>Can you write "XYZ University is my first-choice school, and if I am accepted, I will attend" in the additional information section?</p>

<p>Any advice/opinions would be greatly appriciated, as November 1st is rapidly approaching.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>There is no reason for an EA school to assume that they are the first choice; many people use EA more as a way of getting a safety school (or eliminating the need to apply to other safeties). </p>

<p>You can tell the school in your application that they are your top choice, but it is not a good idea to tell them IF financial aid is important to you, at least not without knowing something of their financial aid practices.</p>

3

<p>Sorry for the bump, but what do you think would be the best way to word this kind of a statement?</p>

<p>"xyz university is my first-choice school, and if I am accepted, I will enroll"?</p>

<p>thanks SO much for any advice you can offer!</p>

4

<p>My son is in a similar situation. He has 2 EA schools that are his favorites. Applying EA is clearly an expression of interest but in no way does it convey to admissions that you will attend if admitted. Hence, your dilemma! I was just a little paranoid in fearing these schools would think my son is using them as a safety because his stats are at the high end of their accepted range. I thought about advising him to use the "personal statement" (which was optional) to express his sincere interest in the school, but finally decided to let the chips land where they may. If you want to let them know they are your first choice school I think that is ok, but I wouldn't word it that definitively, ie I might say they are my first choice school rather than say I will definitely enroll.</p>

5

<p>You can also do a very, very good job on your "why school X" short essay. You don't have to say "you are my first choice" in so many words, if you show in your essay that you really know about the school in some depth, it has programs/clubs/activities/profs that fit you to a tee and that something about you brings something particularly valuable to that school.</p>

<p>It's certainly fine to also say "you are my first choice," but I don't know that such a statement means too much without the backup. I agree with other parents that "I will definitely enroll" is not so wise. Definites have a way of becoming indefinite as the weeks and months roll by.</p>

6

<p>A good GC may be able to communicate this to the school -- preferably to the admissions officer assigned to your geographical area for your first choice college -- for you, and it will mean more coming from him. Talk to your GC about this and see if he'll go to bat for you. Also, if your hs has other GC's who might have a relationship with someone in admissions at your first choice school, go talk to them.</p>

7

<p>many schools have an optional esay to explain anything</p>

<p>my D used it for her first choice</p>

<p>she applied EA to two as well, REALLY wants one but the others was a freebie and she would be happy to go there and has gone to the visits etc</p>