I’m looking to apply to Boston university and have no doubt that if I get accepted I will attend that school. My SAT scores are just borderline what they’re looking for. I heard that early decision applicants have a higher percent acceptance rate, but is this only because ED is made up of the top tier of applicants? Would it be better for me to apply regular decision or ED to Boston university? Is ED made up of more competitive applicants?
SAT: math-570 reading-680 writing 670
ED provides a competitive advantage in admission at some, but not all schools. If you are planning to re-take the SAT then I’d wait and apply ED2. But if you are not, you need to find out if ED is an advantage at BU – from the school website it looks like BU views committing to the school and applying ED as a positive. (also, be sure you can afford BU before applying ED).
Can you specify “borderline”?
My sense is that you’ll need to raise your SAT score to the “median” range of accepted students to BU. You’re about 120 points below that. Perhaps your other stats (which you haven’t listed) are very strong and compensate for the weak (for BU) SAT score.
As happy1 suggests you may want to retake the SAT. Consider also the ACT, where a 31 will place you at the median of accepted students. The next SAT test date (Oct. 3) is in time for an ED application.
The way I see it, the majority of the early pool at a particular school are students who ARE extremely competitive for that school, and they know (almost) for sure that they want to attend that school above all others. It may not be the most selective school on their application roster, but they are committed to that school. From the way you described yourself, it sounds like you have the commitment to BU down. If you know for sure you want to go there and you would have no regrets committing their if you get accepted early (no sad feelings wondering how it might have turned out if you’d applied to any other school), then I say go for it early.
Warning. Applying ED means you’re bound to whatever bad financial aid they give you. Applying ED does give a boost as it convinces them that you’re dedicated but simultaneously, is it really worth it?
My gpa os a 4.0 And I have taken AP classes all four years of high school. My SAT score in math is 570, in reading 680, and writing 680
But would it be a safe option being that my SAT scores are not the strongest? Especially because the early applicants tend to be more competitive?
I will be retaking the SAT sand hope to score higher, if I do score higher but do not achieve such a big difference would early decision 2 be better for me? would it be a safe option being that my SAT scores are not the strongest? Especially because the early applicants tend to be more competitive?
I would think that if you improve your score to somewhere near the median that you should apply ED rather than ED2. It’s very difficult (and counter productive) to second guess how BU treats ED2 applicants compared to ED or RD, and I wouldn’t try to do that. You would make a very strong statement of interest by applying ED. Your scores would be available in time for ED if you take the October 3 exam.
@fogcity is it still beneficial even though I will probably be competing against legacies and athletes? Is ED very competitive and if I’m not accepted will I be put into the regular application pool?
@marianyc18: Just a meta-comment here—I noticed that you posted essentially the same question in at least three places on the fora. That’s considered bad form around here.
And now, back to the advice…
@dfbdfb ok thanks I’m not sure how I can delete a post
When applying ED, you may be admitted, rejected, or deferred to the RD pool. You do not reapply in the same year.
I am planning on maybe applying to Boston university’s early decision 2. I was wondering if you don’t get accepted in ED are you automatically put into the pool of regular applications or do you reapply. Are your chances of getting in worse after being denied in the early application? Is the early application pool more competitive and harder to get into because of legacy students and athletes? I have slightly lower SAT scores so would I stand a better chance applying ED or regular application?
SAT composite :1930
CR:680
Math:570
Writing:680
Gpa: 4.0
National honor society
5 AP a classes
Honors classes
I plan on retaking the SAT in time to apply for early decision 2 but I’m not sure how much higher my scores will go. My biggest concern is that by applying ED I will be competing with legacies, athletes, and very academically competitive students and being put into the common app pool with a disadvantage. I’m not sure if BU early decision is an advantage or disadvantage.
My son applied ED and his SAT scores were slightly below yours. He knew BU was his number 1 choice and he was accepted. ED really depends on if it is your number 1 choice. If you know you are going then you have a good shot.
The only way I would apply to BU ED is if it was certain that you can easily pay full tuition R&B etc.
Three years ago, I applied RD with slightly below average SAT scores, but with an apparently bomb essay and ECs since they accepted me. If you really love BU then go ahead and do ED. I also really liked BU but opted to do RD for financial aid reasons. I still got accepted and now go here :). If you have lower test scores and can’t get them any higher then make sure you balance out that weakness with some strong essays, ECs, and GPA.