<p>In a hypothetical world, if you were told you could have a possible near certainty (95%) of being accepted at a top school like Middlebury, UChicago, Georgetown or Amherst over a good but not even close to sealed chance at attending an Ivy (say your chances are maybe 60-75%), would you go with EA (if they were all available at those schools) and keep applications open RD at Ivies, or would you go with the sure thing and be done with the college application process early? If you really could see yourself at one of the first schools.</p>
<p>And, if you would hold out at all costs for an Ivy school, why?</p>
<p>Middlebury and Georgetown are as much as a reach as any Ivy. Younger d’s best friend’s sister wanted to go to Middlebury as her first choice- was rejected but did not lose that much sleep over it when her Harvard acceptance letter arrived.</p>
<p>Thank you urban. There is so much wrong with the OP’s question I didn’t even know where to begin. You managed it to summarize the situation well.</p>
<p>Not only is Midd more selective than several of the Ivies, but many Midd students choose Midd over Ivies every year.</p>
<p>To the OP - Midd doesn’t have EA.</p>
<p>I would like to know how (unless he is an athlete, and even then?) the OP can be “told” that he has a 90% chance of being admitted to Midd or UChicago. This statement is ridiculous on its face. Then again, so is being told there is a 60 - 75% chance of admission to an Ivy! It’s all just nuts. Perhaps the OP has an overly optimistic (and misinformed) guidance counselor? </p>
<p>My D had stats etc. which would have given her a shot (albeit not 65%!!!) anywhere, including a Yale legacy. She chose Midd ED and I think she made an excellent choice.</p>
<p>Agree with the flawed premise in this question. Sorry about responding with an anecdote: Kid #3 will be a freshman at Midd in the fall. He didn’t consider Ivies though he’s qualified to apply, and his sister went to an HYP. There is no Ivy that has what Midd has: small, top-notch department in his area of interest, opportunity to perform with a music group under the direction of a talented, enthusiastic person who actively recruited him for the position, and immediate access to kayaking, skiing and hiking. There’s more, but that combination of things can’t be found at any Ivy at this time. D is close, but was missing a key component. Know yourself then choose your schools.</p>
<p>Agree with above. My kids both got into Midd and Ivys (including HYP group), one chose HYP one chose Midd, both happy with their decisions and the fit of one versus others. But both also got rejected or waitlisted at some of Ivys and also some SLACs in the same category as Midd (Bowdoin, Pomona, Amherst, Williams, Swat, Wesleyan). Given the accept rates at all these places, it is a complete crap shoot, unless you are a recruited athlete, and even then coaches promises/early admission reads can “go wrong”. So don’t try to game the system assuming easy to get into SLACS vs Ivys, apply to your first choice ED or EA, if you can’t decide, then apply to one of the EA single choice first (HYP Stanford) and apply to the SLAC or other schools RD and then decide between those you get into. That said if seems inclined to be really happy at MIDD or other SLAC, applying binding ED there does seem to give more of an admission boost than EA to HYP</p>
<p>^^^^Bar… don’t second guess your choice! You made an informed decision and I am certain you will have a great 4 years at Bowdoin. It’s Midd’s loss and Bowdoin’s gain. That being said, my son has expressed his opinion and it is only his opinion that Bowdoin is the most similar college to Midd with his perception that there is a bit more personal attention (his word hand holding) at Bowdoin. The other thing that he mentioned is the decline of Midd food vs. Bowdoin, LOL. He loves Midd and he is already feeling sad for the time he will be spending away at Dartmouth in the 2-1-1-1 combined degree program. Bar, you will have a great time and I applaud you for the analysis and time spent making your choice. Not everyone would be able to cast aside the allure of “ivy” over SLAC. I will also say that there are MANY who did so at Midd, and perhaps, one of the most defining characteristics of a Middkidd is their comfort level in knowing who they are and therefore with their decision. Most don’t feel they need the external recognition of an ivy name to feel good about themselves… they just do!</p>
<p>thank you karatedad! Yeah, it was a tough decision between Cornell and the SLACs. I loved all three of them but it came down to Midd and Bow, as I’m sure so many previous cross-admits’ decisions have. It’s nice to know that there are people out there that know that SLACs are every bit as good as an Ivy and that name doesn’t always mean everything. Oh well, I wish your son luck</p>
<p>UC is a hot school right now. This is undoubtedly true, but don’t forget that just a couple years ago it was easily below Midd, with an acceptance rate above 30%.</p>