<p>Wellesley is my first choice, and I want to apply in the fall. However, my test scores are literally only a point under their middle 50% (for the ACT) and similarly for the SAT (only more than one point, because, you know, the SATs aren't out of 36).</p>
<p>However, I don't know if I should apply ED. I heard something about applying ED and how it is bad for students in financial difficulties. Should I risk it and apply anyway? Has anyone been accepted ED with the ability to change their package? (The online calculator says my family's contribution would be 15,000 dollars a year- we can't even afford a second car)</p>
<p>PS: I have a Wellesley Book Award and a stron alum connection who says she can get a friend of hers to interview me, and she is going to help me "strategize" on how to get in. That, and I've got a 4.0 and leadership positions along with 160+ hours of volunteer work (so far), so the only thing holding me back is my ACT/SAT scores, which I why I would want to apply ED. Thoughts? Suggestions? Anything?</p>
<p>I feel for you. My daughter was not able to apply ED anywhere because in our situation, literally $1000 one way or the other was a very big deal… she NEEDED to be able to compare offers and the financial aspect was a huge part of her decision-making process. The thing about binding ED is that you don’t have the option to compare financial packages between schools. I think Wellesley’s NPC is pretty accurate, so if you were very careful and accurate in filling it out, that’s probably pretty close to what you’ll actually see in the offer.</p>
<p>So you need to think about that. If your family can’t really afford that, what would you do? You’d have to say “no” to Wellesley, and then scramble to apply elsewhere, and you’d have burned your bridge with Wellesley.</p>
<p>What my daughter did:
She applied in the fall to all her schools, even those with January deadlines.
She applied non-binding EA, IDP or EE (Wellesley has EE) to all schools offering it.
These two things allowed her to 1) show early and strong interest in the schools and 2) get the stressful application process over sooner. She also had one “yes” in her pocket by November, which felt good…</p>
<p>I think that ED is only a good idea if you’re 100% sure it’s your top choice, and if you can definitely afford it… or are willing to make whatever sacrifices are needed to afford it.</p>
<p>There are certainly a lot of other ways that you can show Wellesley that they are your top choice without applying ED. Interview on-campus, and tell the interviewer you wish you could be applying ED. Visit several times and make sure you check in each time. Schedule an overnight and class visits. Perhaps correspond (with pertinent questions) with a faculty member in your area of interest. Be very specific in your essay to show them you really know about Wellesley. etc.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>