<p>now, when people ask me about college, I mostly mention I how I'd really like to attend the school where I'm going to apply ED. it has a program that I think is great, it's the right size, location, etc. basically that is where I really want to go. but it's a reach, so there are no guarantees. </p>
<p>should I have a solid list of other schools that I want to go to? I know of about 4 other ones, including one that is a safety choice, but if I was going to apply regular decision for sure, I would probably branch out a bit. am I supposed to be filling out applications and writing essays appropriate for all of these other schools at this point, or will I have time to do that after ED results are available?</p>
<p>none of my high school people have said anything about this yet, so I don't want to be caught off guard. if this is a dumb question, I will appreciate the obvious answer very much.</p>
<p>Definitely start doing the other applications now. You'll get your ED decision some time in December, but many of your regular decision applications will be due in January. That might give you only a few days for many apps.</p>
<p>You should do the other schools applications early and get them in. Most schools have an application deadline to qualify for scholarships that is well before the RD deadline. </p>
<p>I know at my S's college the application had to be in by Nov. 1 to be considered for any scholarships. Also at some schools housing is in high demand so those accepted earlier are able to get their housing deposit and dorm selection in ahead of those who wait until RD deadlines.</p>
<p>would I have to wait until after I knew the ED results before I could sent in apps early? that makes sense since I couldn't go elsewhere if I got in ED. also, should I get recommendations for all of these schools at the same time I get the ED recommendation? (or are all recs the same?)</p>
<p>I will definitely get started on those applications, mostly the essays. I think most of them take the common app which I have tried to fill out, only to find that I don't know how to fill in a lot of the spaces.</p>
<p>You don't need to wait until you hear your ED decision to submit other applications. </p>
<p>A common approach is to get all your applications ready at the same time (including teacher recommendations). </p>
<p>If you're admitted to your ED school, you send a letter of withdrawal to the other schools. If you're not admitted to your ED school, then your other applications are already under review and you don't have to scramble to get them ready!</p>
<p>One tip, though: In my opinion, you should NOT send the other apps to the RD schools until you hear from the ED school. Yes, you should have them all ready to go -- but wait until you hear from the ED school. The simple reason is money. If you apply to the RD schools, you'll have to pay the app fee, and you won't get it back if you withdraw. If you wind up applying to six or eight or ten schools, that could be on the order of $400 or $500 or $600.</p>
<p>Also, when you askt your teachers for recs, tell them to please keep a copy of the rec, since you might need them to send it to other schools later. Or, alternatively, you can ask them to send it to all your schools now, so you don't have to bother them again later. However, since you don't know what all your schools are yet, that would be premature . . .</p>
<p>Another approach is to have the RD apps ready to go but mail them only if needed, obviously watching their respective deadlines. This can save hundreds of dollars. BUT, like the others, I sure recommend having everything, esp. essays, finished and ready to send because if you are denied or deferred by the ED school, it's really hard to start and rush through all those other apps. This is what our guidance dept advises and it's customary in our system.</p>
<p>thanks! I'm sure I could have learned this at school, but it's good to get the information now, so I can get started working on this before I have classes to deal with as well. I wasn't previously aware of the letter of withdrawal, but I can imagine my parents would want me to try to avoid those extra fees.</p>