Early Action vs Regular Decision

Hi! So I’m going to be applying to Northeastern this fall and just read on their website that they don’t consider senior grades during EA. Last year I didn’t take a lot of rigorous courses (all honors 1 ap) but this year i’m taking four ap classes, so should I wait till the RD deadline to show them my first sem grades with a rigorous course load or should I just apply EA to show my interest? My GPA is a 3.9, but i’m more concerned about showing rigor. Thanks!

They will see the classes but not the grades, so the rigor will be shown. EA shows interest, so I would still do EA. If you are anywhere close to the admissions line, they defer you to RD (deferrals are common in EA) and your senior grades along with your EA interest will only help you. If you get rejected in EA, your senior grades would not have mattered anyways. It’s also highly unlikely with a 3.9 GPA that you get a rejection EA. Good luck!

Greetings…
My daughter wanted to do EA or ED… however she was very disappointed with her SAT scores today, as she got 1350.

So the question is:

  • Should she do ED/EA with a
    GPA=4.4
    SAT=1350
    6 APs - rigorous course load
    15-20 volunteer hours per year

or…

  • Should she take the SAT again and apply RD?

Please help!

Thanks!

As said above, deferral is a common option - applying EA means that if you are deferred, she can submit that updated score for RD. Applying EA still sends the message that she is interested, and obviously very interested with ED. It’s also possible to be deferred from ED, which also breaks the ED contract.

Honestly, you’re on a tough border. A 1350 is on the edge of deferral/rejected alone, but I think her high GPA and course rigor would save her from worrying about being rejected in EA/ED, so I think she should still do that in addition to retaking the SAT / trying the ACT.

As always, make sure if you apply ED that you can afford and are comfortable with being full pay. If that isn’t the case, stick to EA.

Good luck! It sounds like with an even slightly higher test score your daughter should have a very good shot!

I would not do EA with a 1350… if she’s 100% of NEU and you ok with not getting merit, ED would be a good option. I would do ED or try again on the SAT is she thinks she can improve, and apply RD or EDII (this is new this year).

Did she try the ACT @DramaRama

Thank you so much for your insightful replies. She will try with ED but still take the SAT again just in case.