Early action vs. Regular

<p>ive got my list of 11 colleges that im applying to, and im ready to apply to the earliest non-binding admission for all of them. i figured that applying EA to all the ones that offer it approve my chances.</p>

<p>BUT, my gpa blows (40th percentile at my school), and this year (1st semester, senior year) i currently have 5 A+'s. Since gpa is my worst factor, might it be a good idea to apply regular to these schools so i can show my 1st semester grades are a vast improvement to what i have done in the past?</p>

<p>yes of course, it makes sense to wait.</p>

<p>what is your GPA?</p>

<p>gpa: 3.0</p>

<p>im sure this semester will put me just into top 50%</p>

<p>I'm in the same boat, 3.2, and I'm in the bottom 50 (barely). I stalked you and found we're applying to some of the same schools, as well. I don't think applying early to Hampshire with that GPA/rank will hurt you too badly. They're more about essays, recs, and course rigor.</p>

<p>actually im not too worried about hampshire; its colorado, new college of FL, whitman, lewis & clark, and kalamazoo that are more definite reaches.</p>

<p>oh yeah, new college of FL is tough, I'm applying there too. I'm not even going to attempt colorado and whitman. You probably shouldn't worry so much about L&C though. just put your best foot forward and hope for the best, that's all you can do.</p>

<p>Does applying early action rather than regular hurt you? Even if you feel you are well qualified you are going up against other well qualified applicants. Do you have to have a perfect SAT? Or do you apply early action because you know that is your number one choice?</p>

<p>OP...how's the rigor of your curriculum? 3.0 w/Honors and AP's? If so, that should help. How about your scores? EC's?
Re: Kalamazoo. Apps were way up last cycle. My S. is a sophomore and said his football coach couldn't get one of his top recruits cleared with admissions. The kid had a 3.7 GPA and 27 ACT and he wasn't admitted. Definitely visit if you can and schedule an interview...demonstrate your interest. Will your 1st quarter grade report be out sometime in October? Not officially on the transcript, but showing them a copy of your upward trend couldn't hurt.</p>

<p>EA doesn't really have many benefits or drawbacks besides finding out whether you're accepted by December.</p>

<p>ACT-30. Will take again. Academic GPA 4.4. AP Chem, AP Bio, AP US History, AP Calculus, AP English, Honors: Chem, Bio, Geometry, History, Pre-Cal, Alg 2, Orchestra. Could not take AP Govt - schedule conflict. 4 years cross country. 4 years playing piano with Church Praise Band, several benefit concerts. Wasn't aware of competitve piano competitions but did win a couple of local ones. Found out about the competitions after changing piano teachers in my freshman year. Joined orchestra in sophomore year playing the violin. Have arranged music for the orchestra.
Competitive chess player - nationally ranked top 25 in the nation. Started the chess club on a competitive level. President of chess club, captain of and led our chess team to nationals and placed in top 10. Running elementary chess programs and tournaments. I know the stats are not as good as all the other students. ACT is low. Stanford is number choice. I want to apply EA but looking at my stats, I wonder if I should just apply regular. Thank you for any feedback.</p>

<p>raffles, i'd say apply. take the ACT one more time if you can, but your stats are pretty much as good as they're going to get I think. just make sure you knock those essays out, eh?</p>

<p>ACT: 30
SAT: 2030 (retaking)
my 210 psat missed my states semi-finalist by 1 point (and i was supposed to get extra time but didnt)</p>

<p>ECs:
11 seasons of sports, various awards and crap for a few of them
some bs clubs that i wont bother listing</p>

<p>3.0 with honors/ap's wherever possible
3 on ap euro
5 on ap psych
5 on ap bio</p>

<p>right now im taking 2 aps, 3 regular, with an A+ in all</p>

<p>i should have qtr grades late october</p>

<p>so the consensus seems to be to wait until grades come in. btw, i cant visit any of these schools until i am admitted due to financial concerns. both kalamazoo and pitzer seem to be getting really competitive, quickly. how do i show interest in schools that i cant visit? im on the mailing list for all of them, etc, but i figured my only way to show interest was to apply EA. if i cant visit OR apply EA then i dont think i have any hope at my reaches.</p>