<p>If your a good student but not outstanding is ED a good idea or should you wait?
Just so I know for when I have to apply</p>
<p>And I’m just talking about your top schools of course…</p>
<p>I will say a hesitant “yes” for a number of reason. The first reason(not necessarily the best reason, but again it’s my reason) I give to kids I advise on the college process is:</p>
<p>Apply early if there is indeed a school you are passionate about attending, more than the rest; by this, I don’t mean I want Harvard more than Yale or I like Brown the most amongst the Ivies. I mean when there is a school, all factors considered, that stands head-over-heels above the rest of schools your considering then I’d say apply to it. Why? From what I’ve seen, many students I’ve advised that were viable, but not outstanding candidates in the admissions pool have through much effort been able to get into their dreams schools because they were passionate about attending and their heart were firmly set on it and that heart and passion translated well onto their applications.</p>
<h2>A good example would be one girl who had her heart set on Reed College and loved their physics program. She understood the eclectic vibe of the campus and knew that it matched her personality dead-on (the girl fire-dances in the park on winter nights; Reed was as good as matches get). Still she was statistically not the best student (B-student with a 1290 old-SAT). However she visited, sought out alumni, sent out photos of her art and the Buddha statue she sculpted. She today is enjoying her second year in Oregon as a Reedie.</h2>
<p>If you’re heart is really set on a school <a href=“…not%20%22I%20want%20to%20go%20to%20Brown%20because%20I%20visited,%20became%20starry-eyed%20and%20said%20%22this%20is%20how%20college%20is%20supposed%20to%20feel%22…but%20I%20am%20a%20died-hard%20collector%20of%20artifacts,%20a%20dedicated,%20but%20a%20bit%20off-beat%20students%20and%20know%20there’s%20no%20better%20mix%20than%20Brown’s%20new%20Egyptology%20program%20and%20it’s%20comparably%20liberal,free-spirited%20campus.”>I</a>*, I would apply, you should have dreams. Keep them somewhat reasonable (i.e. don’t jump for Ivies if you’re a B+ student with below 1300 old-SAT).</p>
<p>But last, keep in mind that most student undervalue themselves. Coming from someone who works in college admissions, I would say that most students don’t realize the total package they have to offer. Minus the parent-led college process of some privileged students and the crowd of book-worms that have little to show on their application besides AP credits, I’d say that most students should focus a little less on stats and realize what all around great young people they are.</p>
<p>If you are set out for one school that you would go to no matter what and finacnial aid isn’t a problem that’s what you should do.</p>
<p>Do ED if you think you will die if you do not get into that college. Like literally die.
Just go EA.</p>
<p>I would say that BINDING ED is a great idea. Non-binding EA is a bad idea IF you may use extra time to demonstrate that you can improve your record: 1) take more SATs; 2) take 5 APs and get As in the first semester; 3) polish your essays; 4) win a competition</p>
<p>CCers would probably say I’m “good,” other people at my school would probably say “outstanding.” Let’s just say that my SATs (other than writing section) and GPA were well in the range for my ‘dream school,’ but the ECs were weak. </p>
<p>I applied ED, thought the essays were good, and I assume the recommendations were both great. Honestly, I wish I hadn’t applied ED. My school’s ED applicant pool was much bigger than previous years. I think I would have had a better chance if I applied RD.</p>
<p>And, the bad part of ED is that you fall in love with one school and while you’re waiting for their reply, a LOT of people didn’t bother looking at other schools. I’m very glad that my rejection forced me to look at other colleges/universities- a couple of which are a MUCH better fit for me. I wouldn’t have believed I could find a better school while I was applying to Swarthmore ED, but I knnow ow better.</p>
<p>The ED applicant piles are getting bigger and bigger, and if you’re a ‘good’ student, then maybe you should rely on first semester senior grades to help your application. </p>
<p>Remember that no matter how it seems, no one school is the perfect school for you. I didn’t believe the bajillion people that said that to me while I was applying ED, but I’m sure of it now. There are a lot of schools out there that would be AMAZING for you, so don’t feel pressured into applying ED.</p>
<p>My opinion is do not apply ED if you don’t have a hook and you’re not strong in the pool. I’m not sure why so many people do not understand that at top schools, ED is about athletes first, then legacies and the connected. It’s been well documented. The unconnected kids who top colleges take ED are the ones they know they’ll lose to HYP in RD.</p>
<h2>Wow all of you guys are extremely helpful but I’m still not sure if me applying ED would be a great idea…this is why:</h2>
<p>I’m only a highschool sophmore right now but I already have my heart set on Emerson. I want to major in publishing and I know they have a great course. Is it to early to tell if I have a chance?
Public School/ White
GPA of about 3.6
PSAT score not very good…but I think I can do better on my actual SAT’s. Got a 160 overall
In Art Honors, Student Council, Vice President of Habitat for Humanity group, Peer Advocate, Softball, Dance Planning Group, YIA- a group that does a lot of volunteer work. And next year I want to start up Yearbook as well.
Only in Honors History and English but an A- student, hopefully I’ll get into history AP next year.
Since I’m in so few honors I’m really nervous about my class rank
does this look promising though??? if not.. any diffrent ideas?? I really have my heart set but I feel as if I don’t really have an outstanding points.</p>
<p>Don’t even worry about it. Wait until next year. And, by the way, your PSATs will JUMP next year (this is coming from someone who got a 186 in sophomore year and increased his score over 20 points higher than the sophomore score for the junior year PSAT).</p>
<p>yes I was very unpleased by my PSAT scores but not suprised I didn’t really put effort into it which I regret I know I could have done much better</p>