I have no “dream school”. There are schools that I would really like to go to, but they are either out of my reach, or completely shots in the dark. My parents want me to apply to Scripps so badly, but I feel like using ED on a school like Scripps is such a waste (http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1790976-chance-me-for-ucs-oos-schools-will-chance-back.html#latest here are my stats for reference). I would love to consider Scripps as a CHOICE for my list of admitted schools, but I wouldn’t pounce at the opportunity to go if I got in (college takes time, you know?). My parents are adamant that I use ED1 AND ED2 on the Claremonts, and won’t even consider UCs as an option unless last resort. My dad especially just wants me to have a better college environment and to have fun while I’m in college. I understand why he would want me to go to Scripps (we toured the campus and everything), but I thrive in competitive environments, and I don’t like it when things slow down or get too boring. Worst of all, to deter me from applying or even consider attending the UCs (he doesn’t even think UCB or UCLA are within my reach), he threatened to not support me financially (I have to take out student loans, but I’m not sure how serious he is about this) even though my family can afford an OOS private college.
Scripps is a great school, don’t get me wrong. But is it worth it for ME to apply ED? I feel like I have a >50% chance of getting in ED, and I’m sure that’s not what applying ED is for.
Scripps is indeed a beautiful school, but the idea that it is uncompetitive may depend on what kind of crowd you hand out with. Your stats are great but not out-of-the-world enough to dismiss Scripps as an easy-in during the RD round. It doesn’t sound like Scripps is your top choice, so I wouldn’t apply ED if I were you. I think you need to talk to your parents more about this.
@International95 my dad is a no nonsense type of guy, it’s like talking to a brick wall. He’ll only let me apply Harvey Mudd (my favorite school of the Claremonts, but not my dream school) ED if I get into their FAST program.
Hmm. Wow. You are in a tough spot. Do you doubt that your dad’s threats of not paying for school would carry out into real life? And would it be the end of the world to go to Scripps?
@International95 attending scripps would not be a tragedy. I will probably transfer out if I don’t like it. My closest thing to a dream school is the College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley (my dad is definitely supportive of that…), but seeing that it’s better quality than the Ivy Leagues makes it a total reach with my stats. I am VERY afraid that he will actually not support me financially if I choose to go to a UC over a Claremont (but I choose a school holistically) and will instead give the money to my brother (who is going to be graduating at the bottom quarter of his class, will most likely have a ~2100 SAT at the most, but for some reason my parents like him better).
We’ve had this conversation (on several threads)…no you shouldn’t ED to a school that isn’t your first choice. But you know that. The person you should be talking to is your father.
By the way, is he prepared to pay the price for the Claremont schools? Have you ran the NPC and is he willing to pay? (If not, this may be your out).
Assuming your father isn’t going to change and you feel you have no choice, I’d suggest you visit Scripps again, do a class visit, do an overnight. Talk to current students with specific questions or concerns (and/or post some specific questions here). All these things may help you to get over your hesitation — heck, maybe you find you love it after all.
@ClaremontMom we can pay for really any school without a problem. The added problem right now is that my dad actually threatened to not pay any tuition for UCs if I choose to go there. The only way he’ll do that is if I get rejected from ALL private schools I can apply to (which is not happening because Santa Clara University). My college counselor’s daughter is going to Scripps (she will be starting her second year soon) and I will talk to her about the environment of the school (even though she got in RD).
So a small update on this: I ultimately decided to apply ED here. I was timid at first, but I know it’s a great school. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me!