Elon or UMiami?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys, I'm a rising senior trying to pick my top school to ED1 to. I've visited both and loved both, but I am struggling to pick one to Early Decision to and the other to Early Action. I've leaned more to Elon just solely on price and its distance is closer to home, however UMiami is stronger academically. Would I have a solid chance of gaining admission to UMiami if applying ED?</p>

<ul>
<li>3.65 weighted GPA (Around a 3.5 unweighted, school does not unweight)</li>
<li>No class rank (not calculated)</li>
<li>1780 SAT (630 M, 600 W, 550 CR) Taking again this Saturday, improved 50 points the second time I took, assume an 1830!</li>
<li>30 ACT (took only once)</li>
<li>President of Better the Beach (environmental club w/ 30+ hours comm service), VP of another club, and member of another club both giving 20+ hours each of community service</li>
<li>40+ hours separate from church related community service over high school career</li>
<li>Learned piano by ear, been playing since age 5 and have performed at several public events</li>
<li>Solid essay and VERY solid recommendations</li>
<li>Legacy at Franklin and Marshall (dad), and triple legacy at Yale (mom and grandparents). My uncle and grandpa both on board of directors/admission at Yale (only reason to apply)</li>
<li>2 varsity sports (soccer and lacrosse), varsity soccer for 3 years and varsity lacrosse for 4 years, named captain of both for senior year</li>
</ul>

<p>Classes:
Freshman: 3.24 W
- Honors World Literature
- Honors World History
- Honors Geometry
- Spanish 4
- Biology</p>

<p>Sophomore: 4.28 W
- Honors Classic Literature
- Honors American History
- Algebra 2A
- Spanish 5
- Honors Chemistry</p>

<p>Junior: 3.69 W
- Honors Short Fiction/American Literature
- AP Economics (Micro: 5, Macro: 4)
- Honors Contemporary America/Civics
- Precalculus
- Spanish 6
- Honors Physics (AP Physics 1)</p>

<p>Senior (planned schedule):
- AP Literature and Composition
- AP Psychology
- AP Statistics
- Adv. Spanish (No honors/AP credit, reg. class)
- AP Physics 2/B</p>

2

<p>Miami is stronger academically than Elon? Says who?</p>

<p>If you’re looking for stronger academically, Yale would be the obvious choice. As a triple legacy with relatives on the board, you would probably get in. Your stats are below average for Yale, but not totally out of line.</p>

<p>Remember that ED is binding. You should only apply ED to your absolute favorite choice. You say you lean toward Elon for price. What’s your budget? Your stats are probably low for significant merit from Miami. Can you afford it if you get in?</p>

3

<p>I would hesitate to say she’d “probably” get in at Yale.</p>

<p>Needless to say, with connections to the board and a triple legacy, you definitely have a good shot there. Very unique opportunity.</p>

<p>What are you planning on majoring in? I don’t think Elon has engineering if that’s your taste.</p>

4

<p>To emphasize what Chardo above wrote about binding Early Decision, you should apply ED only if you can afford to pay without any consideration of financial assistance or scholarships. If your decision about where to go will be influenced in any way by ability to pay, then don’t apply ED.</p>

5

<p>How are you taking SAT in August?</p>