<p>My son LOVES GW, and after a recent second visit decided this might be the one school to which he would apply early. His GPA is far less than the median but his SAT scores are well within their median range, 1990. He is first generation, had great essays, good ec's, good recs, and all around is a pretty soild kid. He advisor felt applying ED anywhere was not a great idea, because she felt he should show more of his senior year, since his 9th grade year was so weak, however he has since been on an upward trend, and is in a rigorous 12th grade courseload. Do you think he stands a better chance at applying ED second round OR just applying reg. decision? I know I am asking his fellow competition, but if you can give us an honest answer, as we cannot afford the services of a professional counselor,etc.......we would truly appreciate it. Thank you!!:)</p>
<p>ED all the way, shows interest</p>
<p>Thanks, I defenitely agree however is he taking too great a chance by not showing more of his senior year, and risking that or do you think showing the interest overshadows this? He would be thrilled to get in, but which one do you think he stands a better chance at? Typically don't you think that the ed pools are made of stronger applicants or not necessarily? THANK YOU!</p>
<p>Many really stong applicants don't want to lock themselves into a slot and risk having to turn down a significantly better offer, or withdrawing applications and never knowing, which is the downside of ED. So ED is for people who will be very happy attending if accepted and still can attend without a lot of merit scholarship money if it's not in the ED offer. </p>
<p>So if he would love to go, and you have financial flexibility - ED demonstrates strong interest. </p>
<p>Some schools defer less stellar ED to RD. I haven't searched previous years acceptance threads to get a feel for whether GWU does this.</p>
<p>ED can have some risks. We did EA (non-binding) at a non-stretch school (not safety either) to take the pressure off. Showed interest in stetch schools through visits & emails with admissions.</p>
<p>Your son sounds strikingly like me (I say that grudingly, as I like to think myself unique). We share almost the exact same SAT score and I performed appallingly during my freshman year. After some serious nail biting last year, I decided to apply ED II and I was thankfully admitted. If your son is serious about attending GW I would recommend he do the same. If he is the least bit hesistant, however, I recommend he apply RD. And do not let matters of financial aid prevent you from applying ED beause contrary to popular belief you can actually haggle with the financial aid office if need be, as an ED applicant.</p>
<p>qwilde, he would love to attend GW. He is nervous though that he will be up against stronger applicants and be rejected. In other words in which pool do you honestly based on your own personal experience feel he has a better chance? I don't think much will change in his application from here until March, so it is not like that will have any bearing. He is serious about attending....thankfully for him his grandfather has left him money for his entire college tuition so fin. aid is not an issue. When someone above mentioned that ED has some risks, what are they? Thank you again for your help everyone.</p>
<p>ctmomof3, GW looks at the applicant as a whole and they read all the application, contrary to many state schools. therefore, ED vs RD, is more about what commitment your son is to show to the school. The pool is just as strong, just there are some students that prefer the option of more freedom to decide, more time to digest. If GW is THE school for him, then I would go for the EDII, has nothing to lose.</p>
<p>Earnestly, most of the RD students that I have talked to at GW have had roughly the same stats (most have actually had slightly lower SAT scores). Some risks involved with ED may include your son realizing he might want to attend another college after being admitted, your son might want a choice in the matter rather than being forced to attend GW, or that you cannot commit financially to GW-which would be understandable. You have mentioned that he desperately wants to attend GW and finances are not an obstacle, however, so I would recommend he apply EDII.</p>
<p>I would also recommend that he send in his first semester grades for his senior year, as soon as possible.</p>