ED vs. RD with 1st semester grades

<p>This has probably been asked before (and I've probably asked some form of this question), but could having my 1st semester senior year grades help me in RD instead of going ED without those grades? If I calculated correctly, it could raise my GPA up about .05 Rice is my first choice and I really want to apply ED, but I feel like the lack of senior year grades may hurt me (as I feel that I can do well in my classes). Should this be a deterrent? </p>

<p>I was reading about UVa's early action on their website and they said that one should apply RD if they think that senior year grades could help. I know that it is a much different school and EA is not the same as ED, but the idea of waiting for RD was planted in my head from reading this.</p>

<p>Are you sure your 1st term grades aren’t factored into your ED GPA? At my school we have three terms, and the first is added to our GPA. They send the grades in late, but the school would still see them.</p>

<p>i have 2 semesters and the ED deadline and the decision date are before the semester finishes</p>

<p>I have heard it is best to wait for first semester if you are upward trend student.</p>

<p>My main concern in waiting is losing the demonstrated interest that ED shows, but would better grades outweigh this?</p>

<p>Personally, I think that both applying ED and adding .05 to your GPA are very small differences. The way I see it is that if you apply ED and you were just that close to being admitted to a point where .05 would actually make a difference, then you would likely be defered, and thus, be able to apply again with that extra .05 later. If you apply ED and get denied, then it is unlikely that an extra .05 would have made much of a difference. I think if you are borderline as an ED candidate they will defer you, so if makes sense to apply ED.</p>

<p>when you apply ed they call your school and ask about your midyear progress reports.</p>