Early Decision 1 vs Early Decision 2

Colleges and Universities A-Z Colby College
1

<p>My son has decided that Colby is his 1st choice and would like to apply ED to Colby. We are trying to determine if he should apply ED 1 or 2. </p>

<p>The concern is his grade average a 90 /100 uw ( AP and honor classes mostly) </p>

<p>SAT 1430( cr and m) </p>

<p>Does he go early ED 1 to show the school he knows early on that Colby is number one and submit only first quarter senior grades ( 3 AP classes & 2 honors , band) - hoping for A's or does he wait for ED 2 and submit his semester grades ? </p>

<p>I noticed on Colby's website that a higher % get accepted in ED 1 vs ED 2 </p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Although they might deny this, I believe that the odds are better for getting admitted in ED1. Our son applied ED1 and was admitted before Christmas, which was a great stress relief.</p>

3

<p>I think part of the reason the acceptance rate is higher ED1 is because athletes who coaches recruited/connected with are encouraged to apply ED. It’s competitive either way.</p>

4

<p>EW2012- I would love that! I am already stressed ! I sent you a private message …thank you!</p>

5

<p>Allaboutbooks…I didn’t even consider the sports angle…so that may the reason for slightly lower GPA/SAT sores for ED ?</p>

6

<p>If the first quarter grades are all As, go for ED1. </p>

<p>What is the writing SAT score?</p>

7

<p>^^590/8 -plans to retake in Oct. it appears that many schools look at the first two scores. </p>

<p>Overall his score is 2020 ans S feels he can get a higher score if he preps. No prep the first time around. </p>

<p>Thanks for your advice.</p>

8

<p>When we visited Colby last year, they went out of the way to state (at the info session) that they do consider the SAT writing score. </p>

<p>According to the common data set, the 25th -75th percentiles for the writing section for freshmen enrolling in Fall 2012 was 610-710.</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/ir/upload/CDS_2012-2013.pdf[/url]”>https://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/ir/upload/CDS_2012-2013.pdf&lt;/a&gt;. </p>

<p>Put another way, less than 17% of entering freshmen had writing scores below 600. I’m betting many of these are “hooked” (ie. athletes, URMs, etc.) Do everything possible to get that writing score up. I’m sure if there was no prep the first time around, he will be able to do that.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be able to improve. Tell him to check this out: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html&lt;/a&gt;
It helped me go from 8 to 11 on the essay, and my first language isn’t even English, so I’m sure your son will nail it.</p>

<p>If he can increase his writing score, he’ll have good chances whenever he applies, but ED does boost his chances. I’d go for EDI if his quarter grades are good.</p>

10

<p>Treks and Guitar,</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>

11

<p>One way he can stand out is to write a memorable essay!</p>

12

<p>onlyonemom, I would strongly consider ED1 for your son. His scores are going to be low for Colby and while he may have his heart set on it he needs to have an ED2 school in his hip pocket and ready to go, should he not be accepted. There are many LACs with lower admissions requirements that are still excellent, depending upon his interests - geography/majors. What else is he considering?</p>

13

<p>Hi Steve,</p>

<p>S decided to apply ED1 - his GPA is on the low side but his overall SAT is in line - 2020. He took the ACT today and will retake the SAT in Oct. </p>

<p>He is interested in Neuroscience -
Other schools Conn. College, Bates, Brandeis, St Lawrence, UNE, Wheaton(MA) , Muhlenberg, U of Rochester, HWS </p>

<p>We haven’t discussed an ED school but he will apply to a couple of EA schools. Probably Wheaton and UNE - but I have been thinking about having him apply ED2 if he doesn’t get accepted to Colby.</p>

14

<p>Sounds like a great plan with a number of very good options if Colby doesn’t work out. I hope it does. Best of luck to your son!</p>

15

<p>Thanks Steve!</p>

16

<p>He will have a lot of competition this year at Colby, Brandeis, and Conn. College. His scores are very good but he needs the edge that ED will afford him. A hook would help secure his admittance (any varsity sports, musical instruments, URM, legacy, etc?)</p>

17

<p>^^^nervedoctor are you suggesting if he doesn’t get accepted to Colby, he chooses Brandeis or Conn College for ED2 ?
My S is a math / science guy who writes poetry. I am hoping this is a hook.</p>

18

<p>I do think that your son will be accepted at Colby for ED I. In case of being deferred, he/you would have to decide whether to do ED 2 at Brandeis (larger classes, but more research and more science oriented) vs Conn College, OR waiting to see how much merit money he will be offered in RD (for example,U Rochester gives virtually any student who is accepted at least $5,000 and he might be able to get up to $15,000 per year). All good options.</p>

19

<p>Nervedoctor ! Your note just made my heart skip a beat! It would be awesome if S was accepted to Colby. I did read somewhere that Colby does not deny ED but will defer to regular decision group…Our friends went through this last year -their S applied to Swathmore ED1 - was deferred to RD and he applied ED2 to Tufts and was accepted. </p>

<p>I really feel for HS students like my S - he is bright but didn’t put his all into his HS grades and now he is in this situation ! His attitude has been it is not about the grades - it is about the learning! I agree but society makes it about the grades! hopefully, schools do look at the whole person and not just the grades and test scores.</p>