Early Decision Dilemma

Applying to College
1

<p>Where to apply for early decision</p>

<p>I have quite a dilemma here. I'm interested in studying international relations. There are three colleges in my list that I would go to in a heartbeat if I were to get accepted: Johns Hopkins, Columbia and Princeton. The problem is that Columbia and Johns Hopkins have Early Decision programs and Princeton has restrictive Early Action (meaning that I wouldn't be able to apply Early to any other university). Which one would I have a better chance of getting into under Early Action/Decision? Would it be an advantage or disadvantage given that I would only submit my quarter 1 grades? Here are some of my stats:</p>

<p>High school: most prestigious and rigorous high school in Puerto Rico
GPA: 4.14 weighted, 3.8/3.7 unweighted
PSAT:208
SAT: 1960 sans prep, aiming for 2200 + after intense studying
SAT II: Spanish 800, World History 750, Physics 620, Chem 630. Yes I know those last two are total fails. Going to take Biology and Math II in June.</p>

<p>AP's:*
Sophmore: Psychology (5)
Junior, predicted scores: APUSH (5), Human Geo (5), French (4),Spanish Lang (5)
Senior: English lit, Spanish lit, Calculus AB (looking to take BC exam), Euro</p>

<p>EC's: Model UN since 8th, Environmental Awareness, Youth in Action (community service club) President, United Way Treasurer, Film Club VP, NHS treasurer (maybe)</p>

<p>Summers:*
2009: CAA Easton, Legal History of the US
2010: Oxford Tradition, International Business; Eco*trip to the Galapagos *
2011: CTY Civic Leadership Program
Community Service: 100 + hours</p>

<p>College Confidential makes it seem like 99% of the people accepted into those schools have 2300 + SAT and 10 + AP's, and while they may make up a large portion I HAVE seen people from my school with similar stats to mine be accepted into Ivy Leagues and other top institutions. My school, rigorous as it may be, is very cautious when it comes to allowing students to take many AP's precisely because of the work load of the regular classes. I've taken/will take pretty much the most advanced courses outside of the science department. Still, I am aware of how difficult it is for any applicant. So which school seems to look more favorably upon Early applicants? The alternative would be applying regular to all after applying Early Action to UChicago and Georgetown. * *</p>

2

<p>You would probably get a boost as a UMR (assuming, since you’re living in Puerto Rico). I would suggest doing SCEA, but if you’re 100% sure you would go to Columbia or JH, and would be able to pay for it (whether you qualify financially or because you have the means) then apply ED because, logically, that gives you the best chance to get in.</p>

3

<p>Only apply ED to a college you are absolutely in love with AND have the ability to pay for. Using ED programs as strategic ploys to boost chance of admission is not recommended.</p>

4

<p>I’m lucky enough my parents can pay for pretty much any university, so financial aid wouldn’t be a problem.</p>

5

<p>Even if your parents can pay for anything, it is not a good idea to apply ED to any school that you are not absolutely sure you want to attend. If you feel strongly about applying ED, you have from now until next fall to learn more about each school and make a choice about which one is for you.</p>

6

<p>“College Confidential makes it seem like 99% of the people accepted into those schools have 2300 + SAT and 10 + AP’s, and while they may make up a large portion I HAVE seen people from my school with similar stats to mine be accepted into Ivy Leagues and other top institutions.”</p>

<p>Please don’t take what you read here about student stats too much to heart. The people who participate in the forums are a small fraction of the total number of students who apply to and are ultimately accepted/rejected/wait-listed by the colleges/universities in question. The people who are best qualified to evaluate the chances for a student with your profile who is studying at your high school, are the people who help students at your high school make their course selections and their college application lists. Your own counselor knows more about your options than we do. Trust his/her judgment on this.</p>

7

<p>You shouldn´t compare yourself with students from the US. Your application will be read differently, and you will be compared with students from PR. What you should do is to study your school´s Naviance to see how you are compared to students who were admitted to those colleges.</p>

<p>My daughter is currently going to a school outside of the US. Looking at her school´s Naviance, more students are admitted to UPenn and Yale than to Cornell or Brown. Students from D2´s current school are admitted with SAT in the 2100 range, not 2200+.</p>

<p>Applying to schools ED/EA will give you a boost, especially ED.</p>

8

<p>Johns Hopkins is one of the schools where ED does seem to provide an admissions boost. </p>

<p>You will have to increase your SAT score to be a credible candidate at any of these schools.</p>