<p>how much of an advantage do u gain by applying ED right now im on the fence becuase i have narrowed my choice down to 2 schools W&M and Gtown...however i cannot apply to both early and i have really been debating which one i should apply early to and from my research it seems that i gain no advantage if i apply to gtown early action however i dont really know anything about W&M ED from OOS...Im not settling if i apply ED becuase i really love both schools and i would love to get into either one and i just want to optimize my chances</p>
<p>Two very different environments - what attracts you equally? My son applied ED to WM and was accepted OOS - there are pros and cons to applying ED. Here are two links to recents comments from the Dean of Admissions at WM regarding class selection this year:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=5120%5B/url%5D">http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=5120</a>
<a href="http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=5118%5B/url%5D">http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=5118</a></p>
<p>Consider whether or not you really need an ED advantage as ED is binding. WM does not give out much merit money or financial aid so you should consider that - you will not be able to compare financial aid packages or merit. There probably is some advantage to ED for WM - I don't think there is for Georgetown but others can speak to that. Males have a bit of an advantage, I think, in WM applications, as fewer apply. Also, some states are not as well represented and your state might offer diversity, have fewer applicants ? You could talk with your GC about your school's track record with WM or other VA state schools. ED at WM is very early - decisions were in the first week of December, applications went in very early. My only caution would be that a lot happens from October or November through April and May that might cause you to wish you had more choices - hard to imagine now, I know, with the pressure of wanting to assure acceptance at one of your preferred schools. How far from home will this be? When push comes to shove, some students are not so happy being very far from home and that doesn't seem like it will be an issue in November. WM is a great school but it is very different in some ways from Georgetown which makes me think you should be sure about your abilityto be content there before doing a binding application....if you want to PM me, please do.</p>
<p>We recently returned from parents' orientation at WM where we had an opportunity to meet with upper level students to ask questions (while our kids were at their orientation). There was a lot of discussion in the meeting I attended around grade deflation at WM - students expressed that they were concerned about it - that often their grades were curved down, some students are stresed about it, in the meeting parents were stressing, etc. I would think about their emphasis on this practice if you are considering graduate programs. Although administration assures parents that grad schools recognize their rigorous grading and will accomodate for that, one phone call I made to a graduate program indicated that students applying from schools known for rigorous grading were given .1 increase in their GPA over others.....I don't think that's enough from what I heard. When I mentioned WM, the admissions rep said that my son would have to have someone write a letter detailing their grading criteria, etc. I guess this is on my mind right now and it may not be the biggest thing to worry about but it sure was concerning to hear that kids who had Bs on tests were curved down so that there would always be a bell curve.</p>
<p>That might have sounded to negative and you asked how to enhance your application. WM seems to be looking for people who will contribute to their community, who are bright, have passion, and who have good writing skills - definitely do the optional essay and try to personalize it. The articles above give a clue as to what they are looking for in students and also how they are not cutting so much by SAT/GPA but looking for something about the person. There were many more applications this year to WM so ED may be an advantage if you know for certain it is the school for you.</p>
<p>W&M and Georgetown are obviously both very good schools. They are both in very different locations though. If you are a boarderline applicant, then it might be worth the decision to go ED to one of the schools. However, if you feel you have a good chance at them, RD might be better, as it will give you more options (potentially) come April.</p>
<p>If GTown is EA, then you can still apply to W&M RD as well.</p>
<p>I want to say the admission % for ED at W&M is slightly higher than RD, but I have no numbers to confirm that. Rileydog gave a couple good links about what W&M is looking for. Beyond the stats.</p>
<p>Rileydog, could you tell me (or PM?) which grad program that was that gives the .1 increase? That is definitely not enough. I would say probably ~.3 increase would be deserved. Classes (some, not all) are definitely curved down. Your B percentage wise can definitely turn into a B- or C+. I trust that the College knows what it is doing though, and gives a satisfactory explanation to grad schools about the rigorous grading of undergrads.</p>
<p>soccerguy315 I have sent a PM</p>
<p>What I was told by the institution that I called is that it's very important for students from schools that have grade deflation to make sure the grading policy is explained as part of the application process - a written letter from WM, for example. It is a bit more concerning for some types of grad programs than others.</p>
<p>Even tho Gtown is EA they will only let u apply to other EA schools not ED. Yes i realize that they are 2 totally different types of schools however since 9th grade i have liked Gtown without ever visiting their campus. I am a hoya fan watching all the basketball games on TV so i am drawn to it in that way. When i went to go visit there was nothing there that turned me off to the school it just didnt reaffirm my belief that it should be my number 1 school. THen making the rest of the rounds at the usually school UVA Wake W&M i feel in love with W&M's campus and location in Williamsburg. I kno both programs are excellent and extremely competitive and no other school that i have visited has challanged these 2.</p>
<p>On a side note when i visited the school classes were not in session so i really dont have a handle on the population. How would you characterize the students that go to W&M. I am a male and i know that they are underrepresented in the university but i just want to get a general feel for what the students are like and i will be going back to visit in early september to make my final decision</p>
<p>I recently retired after working for 33 years for a Government Research and Development Lab. Over that period of time I have lost count of the number of June grads that I interviewed for positions. The one person who stood out head and above all of the others over those years of interviews was a William and Mary grad (the only W&M grad that I interviewed). I was so impressed by this person's broader knowedge, not just in the area of expertise that we were seeking for employment, that I paid less attention to his grades than I normally did for other interviewees. So, I think that one has to put grades into a broader perspective. I understand that W&M does a good job of getting its students into grad and professional schools. Later on, when my D was searching for a school and expressed an interest in W&M, I encouraged her to pursue it.</p>
<p>characterize the students at W&M... hrm.</p>
<p>W&M students are very nice. They always hold doors open for you. There is a work hard play hard feel, with a tilt toward the work hard, in contrast with, say UVA, which I would say tilts toward play hard. W&M feels like a private school more than a state U. With only 5800 undergrads, courses that don't start with "Intro" or "General" probably have 25 or less students. The school is somewhat apathetic about sports, but hopefully this is starting to change with the success of the football team last year (11-3, made it to the National Semi Finals for D1-AA (AA = less money spent on the program than A)). W&M stresses a sound education across the board, which I think dvan's post speaks to. W&M students have wide academic interests, and a strong connection with community service. Males are not THAT underrepresented, the split I believe is less than 45/55. I think the class of '09 was 47/53. Students study in the library. Some study in the sunken gardens while others skip their afternoon classes to play with the disk (frisbee).</p>
<p>The visit while school is in session will hopefully help you get a feel for it. Sometimes you just go somewhere and the intangibles click. You just feel like this place would be a great place for you.</p>
<p>Given W&M's student body profile, W&M has an excellent grad placement record at top-notch, non-Ivy feeder programs. Many W&M grads go to UVA Law, for an example. W&M's exceptional grad placement rate is one of its notable successes as a college. </p>
<p>I am willing to bet that the anxieties you may have noticed were from undergrads who have not experienced graduate admissions.</p>
<p>The Tribesman</p>
<p>Based off my somewhat dated experience, it is easier to get into W&M ED vs RD. The biggest difference would be for the in-state male applicant, though.</p>
<p>Logically, if W&M knows you are applying ED, you are demonstrating a more appreciable amount of commitment and interest to W&M, then if you submit the same application during RD.</p>
<p>Furthermore, filling a good chunk of a freshman class early relieves some anxiety for adcoms--you've got to believe that there are borderline students that get "the benefit of the doubt" in ED, but would not have gotten admitted RD.</p>
<p>In the past, there have been noticable differences in acceptance rates, too. The numbers don't lie.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>The Tribesman</p>
<p>yea everyday i feel myself leaning more and more towards ED thanks for all your help its been greatly appreciated</p>
<p>Cool, man.</p>
<p>Good luck!
The Tribesman</p>