<p>I'm applying to UMCP, Penn State, UVA, UMBC and UCLA and was wondering if I should apply for EA/priority or RD. My stats right now are kinda low, but would it help to improve test scores, have a rigorous senior schedule, and get good grades and then apply RD? Let me know please</p>
<p>If your stat is low, do not apply EA to schools with high rejection rate or you may not even have a chance to improve it. Find out which school your stat is closer to their admission average (or above) and try EA that one (or more than one). You don’t want to kill your chance if you can improve your GPA and score before RD deadline.</p>
<p>I was also thinking about RD because then I could possibly get scholarships for schools that are matches for my stats as of now</p>
<p>UMD College Park accepts 90% of its class priority. I’m not familiar with the other schools, but you should check their websites to see if they are similar.</p>
<p>You also have to apply priority to College Park in order to be considered for merit scholarships.</p>
<p>None of the UC’s including UCLA have any kind of early action/decision.</p>
<p>UMD was one of my matches and where I’m probably gonna go tbh since I am in-state. I was mainly talking about UVA, which is my number 1 and a high reach, and if I should apply EA with current stats, or RD with future stats. For RD do colleges definitely consider senior schedule and 1st semester grades?</p>
<p>Yes, colleges consider first semester grades in RD admissions.</p>
<p>be careful with EA, colleges sometimes use it to ‘under the radar’ accept athletes and legacies</p>
<p>If you interest in getting merit aid, you should check each school for their application deadline. Many schools have the same deadline for EA or they strongly recommend you to apply early as money is limited.</p>