<p>I was just wondering how much applying early decision helps an applicant…
My dream school is Brown, I would do anything to get in there and want to apply early decision next year (I’m a junior)
However, my GPA isn’t as high as it could be, especially for Brown. (3.8 w, i think that translates to a 3.6 uw. I know it sucks…)
But I should get really high test schools (I’ve been taking practice SAT tests and classes and have gotten very high scores and I got very high scores on my PSATs)
My strengths are definitely my ec though:</p>
<p>I’ve been playing cello for 8 years, piano for 10 years
Principal cellist in my HS orch for 3 years (will be next year too)
In a Youth Symphony in the town over for 4 years, been a principal cellist for 2 years
Principal cellist in the pit orchestra for my school musical
In Senior district Orchestra (similar to All-State)
Teach viola once a week for an hour
Play cello at my church once a week for an hour
Played cello at nursing home grades 9-10 once every two weeks (had to stop bc of scheduling)
in the National Music Honor Society, will be either President or VP next year
I always help out my music teacher at concerts, tuning, ect. (basically am a student teacher for her at concerts)
in the chamber quartet at my school
Co-founder and President of a club to raise money for schools in Africa this year (we’re currently planning a benefit concert and walk-a-thon)
Writer for school newspaper for 2 years, will be an editor next year
Will be doing a paid internship at a museum over this summer</p>
<p>i know my gpa is weak but with really good rec, ec, and test scores do you think i might have a chance getting in if i apply ED (again not this year, next year – i’m a junior )</p>
<p>oh and i’m a female from MA if that makes a difference…</p>
<p>i'm not sure if brown lets you send in supplements of applicants playing their instruments, but if they do, then you should consider that to help you (i'm guessing you're pretty damn good)</p>
<p>Statistically, yes, you have a greater chance of getting in through ED. Regular acceptance rate is about 13.5%, whereas ED applicants have a 22% acceptance rate. But it all comes down to your specific case.</p>
<p>If you are confident that your senior year first semester grades will raise your cumulative GPA, then you should probably do RD instead. That way, when you submit your application in December, they will be factored into the adcom's decision. In doing ED, you preclude the admissions office from looking at senior classes that might boost your chances.</p>
<p>i disagree sukotto because if she applied ED, she'd get accepted, deferred, or rejected.
Accepted- yay
Deferred- likely because you're definitely not worth rejecting, so they'd see the gpa boost anyway
Rejected- the gpa boost probably would not have helped</p>
<p>Yeah, I get what you're saying, smeagz.
I think if you applied ED it would show Brown that it's your top choice (which it is) and that might help, especially because the "level of applicant's interest" is a "very important admission factor." Since it's your dream school, I'd say to give ED a shot. Like smeagz said, if you get rejected the GPA boost probably wouldn't have mattered significantly, and if you get deferred they'll see that boost with the Common App's Midyear Report. </p>
<p>To be honest, I don't think you'd get rejected if you applied ED, since they give outright rejections to relatively few early applicants. And since you're obviously passionate about music, that's good too. </p>
<p>Brown actually does let you send in supplementary materials, like a music recording. Here's the link for the requirements: Brown</a> Admission: About the Application hope this helps!</p>
<p>Relax, dont sweat it. Im fairly certain you WONT get rejected. You have great extra curriculars. Make it seem like you were doing so much stuff that it was incredible that you still GOT a 3.6/3.8.
Good luck dude!</p>
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