George Washington University ED2??

Hi. Recently I got deferred from my ultimate dream school. I’m afraid that even after my letter of intent and mid-year report, I will not be accepted. Nevertheless, I would be honored to attend GWU, for it is my number 2 school.
Should I apply Regular Decision and risk it? Or should I play it safe and go to GWU through ED2? I still have hope that maybe I can get accepted to my recent deferral school and maybe I could get more money to a school closer to me in Ohio.
Either way… here are my stats:
Female/OH
Intended Major: Neuroscience/Cognitive Science
ACT: 30 comp (34 ENG, 29 SCI, 28 Math & reading, 31 writing & English combined)
GPA unweighted: 3.9
weighted: 3.45 – could possibly go up after the first-semester senior grades are released
11/565 students - top 2%
Took 7 AP courses and currently taking 3
Only two B’s throughout high school career: One currently during AP Chemistry and one first semester freshmen year.

Extracurriculars: Summer intern as a researcher in a nearby university and a LOR from my PI. Also, leadership roles in school clubs and activities.

My Common APP essay involved a personal story of mental health and the research I have conducted and will further conduct to solve said disease.
My GWU essay would be the “why GW”.

Should I risk it and do RD? Please let me know! I feel so heartbroken over my deferral and maybe I’m only doing ED2 because I’m upset??? Thank you for the help!

It would be helpful to know what school you applied to ED1, as some schools accept more deferrals than others, but just as a general rule, I probably wouldn’t count on getting in after a deferred unless you have a strong hooks of sorts. If GWU was my absolute second choice school, and you are sure about this, then I would do ED2, but if it’s anything below your second choice, then I would wait and do RD

Can you answer my post too?

I think u mean weighted 4.45? Honestly, given your stats, I am a little bit surprised that you got deferred, as you seem like an excellent candidate for the school. I would definitely look into your essays and make sure you show that although you did have a mental illness/have one, it isn’t controlling you anymore/you are able to control it now. Make sure the essay also shows you, and not just achievements already written down on the CommonApp. Good luck!

depends on what your number 1 school was.

“I still have hope that maybe I can get accepted to my recent deferral school and maybe I could get more money to a school closer to me in Ohio.”

What does this mean exactly? GWU costs over $65,000 per year and the school gaps. Do not apply to GW if the NPC gives you a number you cannot afford.

Did you have someone read your CA app? Issues of mental health can be tricky to tackle in an essay.

It wasn’t me with the mental illness, it was my brother. I spoke about how I have helped him overcome his struggles and plan to further research in his disease because of his impact on my life. I might have someone nonbiased read it.
And I got deferred from UMich… I was absolutely in love with the school. I have no idea how I stack up amongst the other applicants in the second pool. Either way, I feel like I have a strong chance with GWU in ED but not in RD.

and yeah I meant 4.45! @jackisawesome

@txstella
@gormar099

I know a student who was deferred from UMich with 34 ACT. But with lower grades. UMich is very hard to get into.

I think your chances for GWU are good for EDII.

It’s probably tempting to ED to GW just to get it over with, but I think you’d still get accepted regular decision, so why not wait to hear back from your top school?