<p>Elon and University of South Carolina are my two top choices, as a junior my guidance counselor wants me to choose a first choice.</p>
<p>here's my dilemma: I know Elon and South Carolina are two totally different schools but I've looked at both schools and loved the atmosphere of both which only makes choosing one harder.</p>
<p>my question is which do you has a more respected degree?</p>
<p>Why on earth do you have to choose now if you are a junior? They both offer early action - how about applying to both in the fall and see where you are accepted? If you get into both - you visit each again. If not, problem solved. Unless you are considering applying to Elon under a binding ED plan? South Carolina is quite a bit bigger - how do you feel about that? </p>
<p>I work in a hs, and we don’t push kids to “choose a first choice” until it is time to put down a deposit in April of senior year. Are you sure that is what she is asking you to do? As a parent, if you are torn between 2 schools, you are not ready to apply ED. So, I stand by my first stmt - don’t choose - apply to both EA and see what happens.</p>
<p>My school year ends in early June and I have to have a list of schools and my interest by the middle of may. The reason I have to pick a first choice is because (if it was Elon) I would be applying ED.</p>
<p>Well, don’t forget that the ED deadline is November 1st - so you still have plenty of time. If you approach November and are unsure - just apply EA to Elon. Besides being larger, South Carolina is more in-state dominated - Elon has more students from the mid-Atlantic and northeast. South Carolina is heavily Greek. I think they are fairly equal on academics.</p>
<p>Elon’s ED admit rate for the class that entered in the fall of 2009 was 80% - so you have a good chance of getting in if you apply ED. I’m assuming you have visited both? If not, that should be at the top of your to-do-list. </p>
<p>I understand school ending in June and counselors wanting a preliminary list by May - but I’m sure you will have leeway to change Elon from EA to ED or vice-versa in the fall if you change your preference. Good luck.</p>
<p>I’d say go with Elon but I’m biased :). I’ve never been to south carolina. If you could only see Elon right now in the spring…it’s so pretty!!! But I agree with the posters above me. Unless you are 100% no… 110% sure of which school, don’t apply ED. Wait and see how FA and merit scholarships go first. If you know what you’re interested in, check to see which one has the stronger program. It’s not worth it to just rush into a decision.</p>
<p>I have serious concerns about any guidance counselor telling a student they have to pick a first choice and apply there ED. ED (Early Decision) is BINDING - if you get in, you have to withdraw all your other applications and go there. If you are positive one school is your absolute first choice, then that’s fine. Many kids are not sure about that in the fall of their senior year, and to tell them they have to know and apply ED is cruel and wrong, in my opinion. And I say all this as a parent of a student who applied to Elon ED, was accepted and is going there. ED was right for my daughter, but it is not right for everyone. As they say, “Early Decision is for True Love.”</p>
<p>Your guidance counselor may be referring to Early Action, which will get you an answer more quickly but is non-binding.</p>
<p>One warning about what I’ve said… Elon admits a much higher percentage of its ED applicants than its regular decision applicants. So going ED improves your chance of getting in. But still, unless you are 100% sure a school is right for you, don’t apply ED because you can’t change your mind or compare financial aid packages once you’re accepted ED.</p>