ED to "reach" or secure a spot to "possible"

Applying to College
1

<p>Your thoughts in this competitive year.</p>

<p>My DD attends a tough/top boarding school, spent junior year abroad, has average grades but is impressive in person and is a great writer. I am afraid her chances are so slim for the reach, she is throwing away an ED opportunity.</p>

<p>??? THX</p>

2

<p>Only have your daughter apply ED to a school that she absolutely loves. Whether she is likely to be accepted should not factor into her decision.</p>

3

<br>


<br>

<p>Or one she can absolutely afford...</p>

4

<p>Your daughter should either apply ED to a reach or EA to a possible--applying ED to a possible and being accepted will restrict her to that possible, and (assuming that the reach is her dream school) then she will definitely have no chance at the reach school. Like scared6378 said, wherever she applies ED to should be her #1 choice.</p>

5

<p>And don't have her apply ED if finances are a concern.</p>

<p>Remember, too, the U.S. is blessed with thousands of good colleges. Consequently, for any individual student, usually there are many colleges that would match them well, and where they'd be happy and fulfilled.</p>

6

<p>It really depends on her stats and the schools. Sometimes a possible is too possible and sometimes a reach is not as reachy as you think. And sometimes, you guessed it, it is vice-versa. I know this wasn't the type of answer you were looking for, but if you have the $$$ you can hire a private consultant to tell your D what her chances are in order to make a more informed decision.</p>

7

<p>Best to just apply ED to your #1 choice. My son applied ED, and he figured out which school by answering this question: If I got accepted to every school on my list, which one would I choose?</p>

<p>On the other hand, if there isn't an obvious hook and the academic stats are questionable, you need to make a calculation as to what would be your #1 school in the realm of "reach", but not the realm of "pure fantasy."</p>

<p>The financial aid question is a complication, but if you're talking about a school that meets 100% of need w/o student loans, and you're knowledgeable about how your income and assets will be factored by the school, and you're willing to gamble a little -- then I think it's fine to apply ED. Just my opinion. It's what my son did, and it worked out great.</p>