Early Decision or Not?

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's a question I've been mulling over for a while now.</p>

<p>I fell in love with CalTech after I visited it in February. It was definitely one of those Eureka! moments, and before it hadn't even been on my list. So obviously, I'd like to apply ED because I know I want to go there.</p>

<p>However, I'm not really sure if I should. I had a chat with my guidance counselor about it and she basically told me that if it's my top school I should apply ED.</p>

<p>The thing is, my grades aren't that spectacular. They're decent - nearly all classes are honors/APs and I have A/A-s in all of them, except for: a C+ in French, a B in AP Comp Sci, and what seems to be heading towards a B+ in English and B+/A- in French this year.</p>

<p>Now, I know I can bump up my GPA if my senior scores are sent in. I know I can also bump up my SAT scores; I'm taking the Math IIC in October, (probable 800) but then I won't be able to improve on my SAT score for Caltech (which is actually perfectly fine, 750CR 800M 680W but my mother doesn't think so, so I'll be taking them again in November anyway) Also, if I do mess up on the Math IIC, I'll have a chance to retake it again.</p>

<p>My ECs are decent, and waiting until December will not improve upon any of them anyway, except for my Science Team cred a little.</p>

<p>The other thing that would benefit me if I applied regular decision would be my college recommendations. So far I have found one teacher that I truly enjoy to write a rec. I need another one, and if I have until December I can decide better on a teacher that will be able to write a good thoughtful recommendation for me.</p>

<p>I don't know. Would I have a better chance just going into the application pool ED or would I be better off tuning up my stats and going with the regular decision?</p>

<p>I know for a fact that two other people will be applying to Caltech, probably ED, from my school. (one of them is my boyfriend, he just told me today and I got kind of mad for five minutes, lol - he hasn't even visited!)</p>

2

<p>Today is your lucky day!</p>

<p>Caltech doesn't use early decision; they use early action. What's more, it's plain ol' early action; there's no draconian single-choice early action.</p>

<p>So relax. You like Caltech, and they're nice enough to have an early action option. Just get everything ready and I wish you best of luck.</p>

3

<p>Actually, if they're EA, instead of ED, I would probably recommend to wait. Unless I'm mistaken, or CalTech is an anomaly, EA does not provide nearly as much of a boost as ED does (some would argue ED does not provide as much of a boost as it appears to, but that's irrelevant). Since the OP feels her stats would be significantly increased by waiting, then maybe she should.</p>

<p>Of course, if you just want to find out earlier, and not have to worry about other apps...then by all means apply EA! I'm sure your recs will be fine, and your SAT already is. I don't think your app really needs much improving, I'm just operating off the fact that you think it'll be better in December than October.</p>

4

<p>Oh, I'd also like to make sure you know that in addition to Math II, you also need a science SAT II, so be sure you do that in October also, if you don't already have one.</p>