<p>My parents would not allow me to apply ED to my top choice school because of money. At first, I thought I'd be fine with this. However, I am watching lots of people I know get into the school ED and am starting to grow worried. What if they fill too much of their class with ED and there's no room for me in the regular pool? On top of that, I'm starting to realize that I cannot picture myself at any of the schools to which I'm applying besides this one. I feel that, if I'm rejected in the RD pool, I will not know how to handle it. At least if I had been rejected ED, I'd have time to get used to the situation, instead of having it thrown at me. So I've begun to think...if I truly don't believe I will be happy anywhere else and I am not admitted in RD, would it be completely terrible of me to not go anywhere next year and apply early decision then? Would it look terrible? Would I be at a disadvantage? Also, what if I went to a school that I hated and wanted to transfer...would I have to wait the year out?</p>
<p>To answer your first question...no, schools that have early programs usually have a set quota for how many early applicants they can admit, which is on average 30 percent of the total admitted students ED and RD combined I believe.</p>
<p>Some schools take up to half their incoming freshman class from the early pools.</p>
<p>^yea that's just messed up...but don't worry there's still hope crepepaperwings</p>
<p>There is something wrong with your school list if you feel that it is "one school I really love and a bunch of others."
Go back over the list of schools you are applying to and make sure that you could see yourself at all of them. If not, add more schools ASAP.
There is no school anywhere that is the only right school for a given student...it is your responsibility right now to find other great choices.</p>
<p>Not to worry you or anything, but I once heard from a Duke graduate (lawyer) that ed applications have a slight statistical advantage over rd.</p>
<p>Just putting it out there.</p>
<p>ED applications DO have an advantage. I don't actually like the idea of a binding decision, but I was willing to give it up for that advantage. It was an opportunity cost I was willing to accept. My parents however were not.</p>
<p>I do have schools that I like on my list, but I just can't see myself at any of them (save for the one uber reach, but I don't count that as a possibility seeing as I'm basically just applying for the rejection letter). I've tried to get a good mix of schools and, at the time, I thought I COULD see myself at them all. Now that I see everyone getting into the one school I truly love, I can't help but notice that I don't feel I will be quite as happy or successful elsewhere.</p>
<p>It's okay, I had to make that decision too and didn't apply ED mostly for financial reasons (even if they had thought I could afford their package, we didn't know if I really could) so I'm hoping that it all works out RD. And whether ED has advantage--it really depends on the school. Some of them favor ED a lot, some don't. Good luck, I'm in the same worried boat as you :)</p>
<p>It's nice to know that I'm not entirely alone! Here's to hoping for good things in the spring!</p>
<p>Not to say your wrong or anything, but it sounds to me like it's just everything coming together at a bad time. Take a minute and stand back. Why did you really like the other schools you applied to? I can't imagine that that many things have changed. Just sounds like some worries about the top school spilling over. If so? Then yah, just get as many apps as you can out asap.</p>
<p>I hate it when people say that they "can't see themselves anywhere else." I mean, think back four years; did you predict exactly what you'd be like today? I'm guessing not. Even if you don't think now that you could like it anywhere else, trust me, once you actually end up GOING to the school, making friends, getting involved, etc. you'll be just as happy as you'd be elsewhere. If you tell me what school it is, I can maybe tell you some others that are known to be similar or something. Honestly, though, think now as though you've already been rejected. That way, if you DO get rejected, you'll already be "used to the idea." Also, make yourself get excited about your other schools.</p>
<p>Yes, if you get rejected, taking a year off is an option, but I would not recommend it in the least. What would you spend your year off doing? If it's not something productive, then it'll probably lower your chances of getting in. And what if you don't get in ED next year? You don't really hear of people taking a year off and then applying to college...</p>