Early Decision Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brandeis University
1

<p>Alright, I have a few questions that I am curious about before I send off my app to Brandeis in this next week. Just some general info first:</p>

<p>As of today, I have an unweighted GPA of 4.0 (my school doesn’t weight), and my counselor tells me that she is checking the “most demanding” courseload box of my school report. I have two really excellent letters of reccomendation and a 2090 SAT (710 W, 700 M, 680 CR) with two good SAT IIs (670 Bio M and 710 US Hist). I have some really amazing state/national level EC’s.</p>

<p>While I know that all of that looks very good, I have two small problems:

  1. My essay isn’t going to be spectacular. Its going to be good, eventually (I’m working hard on it), but really I’m not the greatest writer and its not going to be a great piece of writing.
  2. I am likely to get at least one (no more than two) C’s this year. Either in AP Calc BC or AP Physics… two classes which I am finding very very difficult. I have low B’s in both classes right now and hope to keep it that way, but really I am starting to see my grades in those two classes slip a little. I will get A’s in all my other classes.</p>

<p>How do you think this will this alter my chances?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help whoever can offer it.</p>

2

<p>Obviously, C's dont look great on a college app, but I still think you have reasonable chances for Brandeis as an ED applicant-- my D was accepted ED last year and her situation in SATs and grades was not so different to yours. </p>

<p>What will make a difference is also how your ECs and interests compare to the rest of the applicant pool and perhaps your ethnicity and geographic origin in terms of adding to "diversity" . On the other hand, they also admit plenty of Jewish kids from New Jersey or Long Island who are not "diverse" in this sense but have something else to offer--like they seem to be a really good "fit" for Brandeis and have a demonstrated commitment to a sport, activity, or potential major that the college wants to enhance.</p>

<p>Even if you are not a great writer, try to make your essay reflect what makes you unique and what you could contribute to the Brandeis community--also why you really want to be there as opposed to some other college.</p>

3

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