My son received an email asking if he wanted to move his app into the EA pool...

<p>...his initial application was through Questbridge's college match program. He had ND ranked #1, but did not get matched to any of his 6 choices. All of the colleges affiliated with QB move the unmatched applicants into their RD pool. ND's email said that they usually move QB applicants into the RD pool, but were ready to make a decision on his application and would move him into the EA pool at his request. Does this mean what I think it means (he's in)? He's a very strong applicant when compared to students traditionally accepted to ND, so I would think he would at least have been deferred to RD if he'd applied EA as a regular student. I think our income made it impossible for ND to guarantee him the "4 yr. full ride" that goes with being matched through Questbridge.</p>

<p>I got the same email today as well. I ranked and first, and 4 non-binding schools behind it. While I was hoping to get matched, I did not, which I believe had to do with my mother’s income including child support. I do think that the email may be a “likely letter” of sorts, since the EA letters are sent out on December 20th I wouldn’t imagine many more decisions being made, although I’m not extremely well-versed in college admissions timelines. I don’t mean to brag, but I would see myself as a strong candidate for ND especially with being a legacy student. Good luck to your son on his college admissions! :)</p>

<p>Yeah, I think income was the issue for us, too. We are way above what I have seen from other QB Finalists - 75K+. That’s about 15K more than we were making when we started the QB process. I don’t see a downside to moving his application. ND really is the first choice. I don’t think he wants to go to school 10 hours away. </p>

<p>I am definitely forwarding my application - in an admissions event I attended, the admissions counselor said applying EA shows that ND is your number one choice and roughly 1/3 get accepted, 1/3 wait listed, and 1/3 denied during EA. ND does have very few matches per year, I believe they require a $0 EFC for matches. Mine came out to about $1000, so financial aid should still be great!</p>

<p>I could be wrong, but I definitely think that this is a “likely letter” sort of thing. </p>

<p>If they were going to defer him, I’m thinking they probably would not have sent an email, because he is already automatically deferred to RD via QuestBridge.</p>

<p>If they were going to reject him, sending that email out is more or less an insult. I just can’t see why they would contact him because they’re so eager to deny admission, especially if he’s a strong applicant.</p>

<p>That was my interpretation. I know ND is selective, but 2230 SAT, 35 ACT, 2nd in his class (possibly first) seems like it would at least merit a deferral instead of an outright rejection.</p>

<p>text of email:</p>

<p>We were sorry to learn that you were not matched with another partner school for the QuestBridge Scholarship. We are writing to you today, however, to invite you to continue your Early Action application to the University of Notre Dame.</p>

<p>Although we typically move all non-matched QuestBridge finalists to Regular Action and mail decision letters in early April, we have completed our evaluation of your application and are prepared to send an Early Action decision letter to you within the next few weeks.</p>

<p>If you are interested in receiving an Early Action decision from Notre Dame, simply respond to this email by Sunday, December 7. Please include your full name in your email response and indicate that you would like an Early Action decision letter.</p>

<p>I hope to hear from you soon!</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Yes I agree with all of you guys! If they wanted to reject him, they would have moved him to RD. I mean we are just weeks from finding out EA decisions! </p>

<p>So was anyone able to get confirmation after they replied to the email?</p>

<p>The December 7th deadline to respond would suggest ND will be sending EA decisions very soon. The fact that they offered to move your son to EA suggests they have fewer EA applicants than years past and are looking to increase the pool.</p>