<p>Hey CC'ers,
I'm on the verge reaching a mental breaking point due to college decisions. I can't decide where to apply (ED, EA). Let me put you into my perspective. I have fairly good scores, EC's, essays and rec's which make my fairly competitive at most top school. I come from a small public school in Ohio which doesn't send many kids to top schools. As of now I'm applying ED to Johns Hopkins due to the acceptance rate increase seen (25 RD to 51 ED.) I like the school, but I like other schools even more. The main reason I'm applying ED to Hopkins is because I want to use that gain in accep rate to my advantage (don't want to go to state school.) But, on the other hand I'm worried that I won't like the experience there due to the large greek scene as well as living in boring Baltimore. Another one of my choices is Northwestern, I have a legacy there and have done a camp there which improves my chances but then again I'm worried about greek life and a weak psychology program. The schools I REALLY like are University of Chicago and Brown due to the place they are located and the student body which attend. Should I stick with my ED at Hopkins, change to Northwestern due to my legacy, or forget it and apply regular everywhere and see if I can get into University of chicago. My main goal is to attend a top school. What is my best option? Please any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>"I like other schools even more."
This statement says it all. You should ONLY apply ED to a college THAT IS YOUR FIRST CHOICE above all other colleges! If Hopkins is not the college THAT YOU WOULD GO TO, all other factors being equal, then don't apply there ED. Apply early to the college/s you would MOST like to go!</p>
<p>I'm not a jihadist about ED. Assuming the financial aid piece isn't a problem, I can see deciding to apply ED to a close second-favorite school in order to boost your overall chances at admission to one of your favorite schools. If you really like Brown and Chicago, applying ED or EA to one of them probably improves your chances there by almost as much, comparatively, as it would at Hopkins or Northwestern, but at schools you would prefer to either of them. Not an absolute 50% chance of admission, of course, but (at Brown, certainly) double or more the RD acceptance rate.</p>
<p>Also, I think the whole ED/RD difference thing is a little overblown. Once you strip out recruited athletes and the like, I am convinced that applying ED gives some people a boost, but by and large the applicants who are admitted ED are admitted because the admissions committee is certain it would admit them RD, too. If you think you are a strong candidate, and you have done a good job on your applications, and you have a good list that includes at least one saftety school you would be happy to attend, you ought to trust the strength of your application and be confident that, even if you have to wait until April to find out, you will find a place at a good school (which of course would include Hopkins or Northwestern). </p>
<p>If you think your application will really be competitive at Brown, then you probably have a better than 50% chance at eventually getting into at least one of the four schools you mentioned. Why sell that out for a (probably better than) 50% chance to get committed to one of the ones you wouldn't pick first without even hearing what the others have to say? (If, being honest with yourself, you think any of these schools is an extreme long shot, then you need a different strategy altogether, and you need to compare them to your real alternatives.)</p>
<p>
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My main goal is to attend a top school. What is my best option?
[/quote]
Your best option is to change your main goal. Your real objective should be to attend a school 1) that you can afford, 2) that will provide you with good educational and other opportunities, and 3) that you like. You're having trouble thinking about that factor #3, but it's an important one. </p>
<p>My advice is for you to find a safety you love and apply there rolling or EA if possible and apply to your other colleges EA or RD. You should not apply ED to any school at this point.</p>
<p>EDIT: Cross posted with JHS. I didn't know Brown was ED. If Brown is one of your top choices, it makes sense for you to apply there ED (as long as you can afford it and don't foresee your preferences changing dramatically).</p>
<p>Ditto corranged. I don't want to repeat, but I do want to emphasize.</p>
<p>xaero,</p>
<p>I think you've been misinformed. Northwestern's psychology program is well-ranked. Check out NRC's ranking: <a href="http://www.socialpsychology.org/ranking.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.socialpsychology.org/ranking.htm</a></p>
<p>Tie with Chicago and higher than JHU/Brown.</p>
<p>FYI, the issue of Greek scene at NU has been discussed. It's really not like the stereotypical one you saw on TV or whatever. <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=395372%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=395372</a></p>
<p>Why don't you apply Early Action to University of Chicago? It should help your chances of getting in there. If you change your mind it is also nonbinding and you can apply regular decision to other schools.</p>
<p>hey, it's an EA school....you can apply to as many of those as you like. I don't see how it hurts to apply to Chicago.</p>
<p>Wow guys, thanks for all the replies I really appreciate it! I've been doing a lot of thinking and I have finally come to the decision that I won't apply ED anywhere because I'm not completely sold on any one school (except Uofchicago.) I'm going to apply RD everywhere and then EA to University of Chicago. Truthfully, my only apprehension regarding going to university of Chicago is the low avg gpa at the school (3.26?). lol If I didn't know that information I would be applying only to the University of Chicago. In fact, I'm leaving to see the U of Chicago tonight to finalize my decision. One final question however, is it really that tough to maintain above a 3.5 at Chicago because I'm worried that when I apply to med school lower than a 3.5 won't suffice? Thanks again!!
btw thanks Sam Lee for pointing out those ranks to me.</p>
<p>I believe (again, I'm too lazy to find the citation) that the pre-med advisors recommend staying above a 3.25. I believe data shows that we have a strong med school acceptance rate that indicates an acknowledgment of our rigorous curriculum and comparatively "deflated" grading system.</p>
<p>I really, really don't like talking about grades (says the person who doesn't know her GPA), but a 3.26 is not something to complain about. If you follow a pre-med track here or anywhere else, you will be in for a challenge: organic chemistry, MCATs, etc. It's not all fun and games.</p>
<p>However I do think that maybe our relative "deflation" is redeemed through our incredibly strong science programs and our opportunities for research, and I think that, if you decide to continue with pre-med (a track that many, many, many drop), you will be able to follow a liberal arts path simultaneously.</p>
<p>What's my general advice? Go to the school you want to go to, not necessarily the one which you think will serve as a launching pad into med school. Work hard, study hard, love what you do, and I think you'll be pleased with your grades and your career prospects.</p>
<p>I think your EA/RD plan is good. Let us know how you like your visit to UChicago.</p>
<p>The pre-med advisers advocated aiming for Dean's List (a 3.3) in a publication put out a few years ago that I found online once (while answering a similar question). Work hard, do your research, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>Most pre-meds discover other passions, in my experience, so don't make a choice based on pre-med intentions. :)</p>