Help me decide...Vassar v.s. Reed v.s. UChicago

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello everyone.</p>

<p>So...By the time I apply for college, I should have a 3.4 or 3.5 GPA, 30 on the ACT...In terms of ECs and following passions in HS, I've been on National Art Honor Society for 3 years, done visual arts in HS for 3 years, taken visual art summer programs for 2 years, have taken many spanish language courses (taking AP next year), taken a few Japanese language courses (studying abroad in Tokyo this summer and taking Japanese language class at community college this year), and I'm doing a masterwork, which is a program at my school in which seniors may choose to follow a passion they have and combine that passion with academic interests to create a senior project, or masterwork. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED, and in all honesty, takes alot of effort to do...I'll design a 100-200 page graphic novel, write up the story, blah blah blah.</p>

<p>But I digress...This is not at all a chances thread. Or at least it shouldn't be. See, I'm coming to realize that I did not take advantage of all the available oppurtinities I had in high school, nor did I study well enough to achieve that fancy 3.8 or 4.0 GPA...I just did what I felt like, followed passions, and generally got good grades (math and science bring me down, haha...Then again, I go to a private college prep school, so academics are rigorous.) </p>

<p>I guess I just haven't done everything I could have, and now, here I am, wanting to go to colleges that are statistically high above me. But I would love to attend them! I just want to learn!! I don't want prestige, or this or that, but I would love to learn at fine institutions such as Vassar, Reed, UChicago...</p>

<p>...So, if I don't statistically fit the bill for these colleges, I should apply ED right? But WHERE? I'm thinking I'll apply to Vassar ED, but then Reed keeps recurring...I'll apply to UChicago EA, nonrestrictive (thank GOD) but even then...I just don't know where I want to go or where I'll fit in, be it statistically or just being who I am.</p>

<p>Haha, wow, I cannot believe I just ranted in this little thread I'm making...I guess I'm just seeking opinion.</p>

2

<p>Luckily for you, Reed and Vassar both have EDI and EDII. So apply to Chicago EA, Reed/Vassar EDI and Vassar/Reed EDII. (I'm assuming you don't need financial aid). In deciding between Reed and Vassar, bear in mind that Reed has an extensive core curriculum (as does Chicago) and Vassar does not. Location might be a factor as well (E vs. W coast). Do some research and you'll see that the three schools have different flavors.</p>

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<p>Reed actually has one required core class (Hum 110) but does have distribution requirements, which Vassar does not have.</p>

4

<p>Aha...So I can technically work this admissions game to my advantage then...Apply to UChicago EA, then apply to Vassar EDI. If not accepted at Vassar EDI, then apply to Reed EDII...</p>

<p>That is actually the best way to do it then. If accepted to UChicago, that school can always be a back up should me EDI for Vassar and EDII for Reed be denied...But w/e.</p>

<p>Haha, it fun to be able to manipulate the ED and EA application process to your benefit. ;)</p>

5

<p>This plan won't work as well as you think. Although Chicago is non-binding, any ED application will be. Plus, most ED schools prohibit you from applying anywhere else, either EA or ED. Even if Vassar (or Reed or Chicago) does not have this restriction, Chicago cannot be your first choice since you risk losing out if accepted at Vassar. </p>

<p>If Vassar <em>is</em> your first choice, followed by Reed and then finally Chicago, this plan will work if both Chicago and Vassar allow multiple early applications. The two apps, EA and ED I, will be due at about the same time, with decisions coming at around the same time as well.</p>

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<p>If you want to be able to choose Chicago you shouldn't apply ED to any other school. I would apply EA to Chicago and RD to the others, personally. Then you can compare finances, etc. If you're meant to go somewhere, you'll get in. Don't let when you apply be determined by how good a chance you have to get in.</p>

<p>And the way you phrased your last post sounded like you were listing Chicago as your backup school. That's a great back up school, ranked 9th nationally above some Ivy league schools. Be reasonable.</p>

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<p>I always wonder, is the acceptance rate for ED higher because the quality of the applicants is better, or just because they decide to let people in that wouldn't get accepted normal decision?</p>

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<p>I was not at all calling UChicago a back up school in terms of a safety school. I'm aware of UChicago's prestige and excellence, please do not misunderstand. Of those three colleges, UChicago is my least favorite, but still a favorite amongst all my college choices, if you get what I'm saying...</p>

<p>So, if Vassar, Reed, and UChicago allow their applicants to apply EA/ED to other schools, then I can do the above, correct? I just thought it was if you applied, say, to Vassar AND Reed EDI, then you were'nt allowed that. But I don't see how any of those colleges would have an issue with me applying EDI to one and then EDII to another. </p>

<p>I want to show these institutions that I like them all equally...I'm having difficulty restricting myself to just one. ED allows an applicant to express intense interest in the school, and it allows the school to better calculate their incoming class, so in effect, it works out well for both parties...</p>

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<p>I'd recommend that you follow greennblue's suggestions. You are certainly allowed to apply EA non-restrictive and EDI to two different schools. Furthermore, if you are (god forbid) rejected from whatever school you apply to EDI, you can apply to the second of your two choices EDII. I know a girl who did that this past year (Williams EDI, Davidson EDII) and got into Davidson after a deferral from Williams so it's definitely something that's done.</p>

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<p>I know the appeal of ED or EA is strong, but if you think that you might be able to produce even better grades in the first term of your senior year (demonstrating a trend up from 3.4 or whatever) and possibly improve your ACT score, I think you would be well advised to apply to these schools RD. The benefit of being able to demonstrate an upward trend would outweigh whatever boost your application might get through showing them your heightened interest. I think you can demonstrate your interest in these schools in other ways.</p>

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<p>You can't possibly love all three equally, especially since they are very different schools. </p>

<p>Think carefully about what ED means.</p>

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<p><<i always="" wonder,="" is="" the="" acceptance="" rate="" for="" ed="" higher="" because="" quality="" of="" applicants="" better,="" or="" just="" they="" decide="" to="" let="" people="" in="" that="" wouldn't="" get="" accepted="" normal="" decision?="">></i></p><i always="" wonder,="" is="" the="" acceptance="" rate="" for="" ed="" higher="" because="" quality="" of="" applicants="" better,="" or="" just="" they="" decide="" to="" let="" people="" in="" that="" wouldn't="" get="" accepted="" normal="" decision?="">

<p>fhqwgads2005, this is a very astute question, and an important one. </p>

<p>Many think that ED is the way to make up for having grades and test scores that are way below those of a particular college's medians. Yes, yes, I know about the book that says that applying ED is the "equivalent" of a 100 point boost in test scores. But, keep in mind the data from that book was collected 5-6 years ago, before so many people caught on to the ED "game." And, here's the rub: Colleges don't choose students based on test scores alone, so even a theoretical 100 point boost won't get someone with a GPA far below the average for the school in unless there is some other really compelling reason to take them. This is especially true at highly selective schools these days because so many kids are playing the "ED card" in hopes of a miracle. </p>

<p>I know this is not a popular opinion, but I think it is best to use the "ED card" for a school that is absolutely your clear first choice and where you are in the ballpark of the typical admitted student, or perhaps just ever so slightly below. No guarantees even then, but at least you are making a solid chance stronger by applying ED. Otherwise, you're just hoping for a miracle, and basically wasting your ED shot that <em>might</em> very well get you into a more realistic option. </p>

<p>Smiledog brings up another excellent point: another semester of solid grades can make a big difference in some people's chances. Waiting for RD also gives you more time to get test scores up. So, if you aren't absolutely sure of your first choice, sometimes there can be a benefit in waiting for RD if you need more time to strengthen your admissions profile.</p>

<p>On the other hand, sometimes it takes getting rejected or deferred ED to get some students to start being more realistic about their college list. :) </p>

<p>Bottomline: There are PLENTY of great schools out there where someone with more average stats can get a challenging and rewarding education. Shoot at realistic targets for best results.</p>
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<p>I have a few safety schools lined up that I can easily into, but my top choice schools are the clear first choices for me. Redundant, I know, but I can't it make any more clear than that.</p>

<p>And Reed and UChicago are actually rather similar, outside of the fact one is an LAC and the other is a private Uni with an LAC feel...Vassar is only a tad different.</p>

14

<p>If you can get into any of them... Chicago!
[Your scores and GPA need improvement though.]</p>

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<p>I'm aware my GPA is in need if improvement, and by the time I evaluated my first term senior grades into them, I think I could achieve a 3.5, maybe a 3.6...</p>

<p>But isn't a 30 on the ACT good?</p>

16

<p>Haha, what exactly do you mean by that?</p>

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<p>I think that your UW GPA should be atleast be a 3.7+ and ACT should be around a 31+, but UChicago claims they only "consider" scores. However, they weigh the GPA very heavily I heard. Just write a GREAT essay, and I'm sure you'll be fine :)</p>

18

<p>good luck getting in...ull need it</p>

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<p>by the time I evaluated my first term senior grades into them, I think I could achieve a 3.5, maybe a 3.6...</p>

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<p>That's the problem with ED I and probably ED II -- your first semester senior year grades won't be completed on time. Unless, of course, your high school uses some unique semester schedule. (Quarter grades are typically not sent to colleges)</p>

<p>A 30 ACT is the equivalent of 1980 on the SAT according to the College Board. The average SAT for admitted students at Vassar this year was 2087, so 1980 is about 100 points below the average for this year. Vassar also places particular emphasis on the strength of the curriculum, so if you've loaded up on AP and Honors classes throughout high school, that <em>might</em> help just a bit.</p>

<p>Not trying to dissuade you, just stating the facts. If you feel you'll always wonder "what if?" then go for it. No harm done as long as you have a backup plan. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Of course, there may be other factors. Are you a "one of a kind" applicant? That is, have you done something that no one else has? Have you overcome some major obstacle that would have stopped most other people?</p>

<p>I agree with Carolyn. If you <em>really</em> want to go to Chicago or Vassar, then apply EA/ED while keeping in mind that they are longshots. Who knows? You might get into both.</p>

<p>As a side note, I'm not sure how much one marking period of grades will raise the overall GPA. If you had a lousy freshman year, and have done great ever since, that will give you a boost at the schools that favor holistic admissions.</p>