<p>Son fairly sure he wants to apply ED to BU (SMG) for next Fall. The ED admittance rate, however, is substantially lower than the RD admittance rate. His stats are: 700M/620CR/540W; 690Math SATII, 650USHistory; 3.38GPA out of 4.0 (top 25-30% class- mostly all advanced-level courses past 3 years and 3APs this year); pres. of language club (2ys); varsity sport (4 ys); few other ec’s, summer job; father alum of law school; no $ needed.</p>
<p>Would you say he has a better shot if he goes ED rather than RD? Really trying to figure this out to get the whole ED thing figured out soon.</p>
<p>Why do you feel ED is "such a bad idea"? If it truly is the first college of choice, wouldn't it be beneficial to find out in December rather than April that you got in?</p>
<p>Are you a student at BU? If so, are you enjoying it? What's great, not-so-great about it? Son is pretty definite it is the place he wants to be next Fall.</p>
<p>Please elaborate on your comment -- I'm really curious!! Thanks.</p>
<p>As a mom of a kid who applied ED and got accepted I can highly recommend it. If you won't qualify for financial aid and your son is sure it's his top choice I'd go for it. I can't tell you how great it is to know before Christmas that you are accepted. We knew so many kids last year who were waitlisted at more schools than they were accepted to. This prolonged the whole process sometimes into the summer. It has made a stressful process even more so.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your thoughts -- sooooo, do you think S can get in with the above-mentioned stats via ED??</p>
<p>Although it appears not to be easier to get in via ED, it still would let him know by Christmas rather than April, right? With a little bit of goodwill from the admissions office, maybe all in my family could stop all this obsession and move on to the merriment and fun of the holiday season - yahoo!!</p>
<p>I didn't realize it was harder to get in ED, how do you know that? Anyway, at the parent orientation for SMG this summer they said that "all your kids were in the top 10% of their class". That's not necessarily true. It would depend on the competitiveness of your high school. At my son's hs the top 10 go Ivy. Anyway, I think his SAT scores and his GPA are a little low for SMG. But, 4 years varsity athletics and no need for financial aid will help him. I'd say it's a bit of a reach but in my opinion that's where you apply ED if it's a school he loves.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, Capemom. According to latest USNWR, BU accepted 37%ED as opposed to RD of 58%. Can't figure that one out -- usually it's the other way around! </p>
<p>I'm hoping his 700M will offset the 540W, the 600CR I thought was okay? He's also got father who's an alum. I'm with you, I think the ED might give you that little extra boost at the reach school -- why waste it on one you know you can get into?!</p>
<p>So BU was your son's ED choice and he got in -- that's great -- he (and you) must have been so relieved! Is he enjoying life on Comm. Ave.? I have a neice who is also a freshman there and seems to like it very much (she's in Core program at CAS). I really hope my son gets in as it is (after much, much traveling around looking at schools) his first choice -- never would have thought he'd want to stay fairly close to home, but such is the case. I know it would be a huge relief to him, and us, if he got a positive response by mid-December. I don't know how large a role, if any, legacy plays into the admissions decisions but hope it may help.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and we're keeping our fingers crossed!</p>
<p>My son is loving life on Comm Ave. Hopefully, that will continue. He really likes his professors and classes so far. If they can make calculus and economics interesting they must be good! We are so impressed with the SMG facility, it's like a Wall Street office building. </p>
<p>I think I was a little hasty in saying your son's SATs are low. They really are not. With CR and M over 1300 he should be fine. I hope he gets in. Your only problem then will be to keep him motivated while finishing up his Senior year. I can think of worse problems! I would really push him to get the best grades he can these first two semesters. That will probably make or break him and BU will ask for those grades before deciding on admission. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Glad your son is enjoying his life as a Terrier. I agree, the SMG is absolutely gorgeous -- looks more like an upscale office building.</p>
<p>I know what you mean about potential senioritis -- will have to keep on him about the homework but as you said, there could be worse problems (ie., Bristol Palin-itis!). </p>
<p>Regarding the first two semesters of grades that BU will be looking at -- if he applies ED and they accept him, they will have barely received his 1st term grades (ends mid-November) so they would have already decided, either way, without his mid-year grades. Am I right? Do they often rescind an admission if they don't see decent mid-year grades?</p>
<p>Thanks very much -- oh, and I appreciate your vote of confidence on his SATs being within-range re: chance of admission. I can't believe how much anxiety is attached to this whole process!</p>
<p>Sorry, I have given you bad info. Amazing how soon I have forgotten the details of the process that consumed me a year ago! No, he won't have to submit midyear grades. If he has a stellar first quarter I would send those grades into Admissions if you get them early enough. My son took the SAT one last time in October and had a big jump in Math so we sent those results in after calling admissions to see if it could make a difference. We also sent first quarter results. Every positive input helps.</p>
<p>They might ask for mid year grades, but they won't rescind the offer if his grades dipped a tad. Now, getting a D or failing grade, might be something to worry about, but I doubt that would happen</p>