Odd Predicament. Few Questions. Thanks!

Applying to College
1

<p>Here are my stats</p>

<p>Washington DC
Private School
Male
Applying as Freshman
3.0 GPA
2250 SAT (780cr, 760math, 710writing)
34 ACT
4 on AP Spanish 4 on AP Lang Comp 5 on APUSH
All Honors + 7 AP Classes (AP Spanish, AP Lang Comp, AP Lit, APUSH, AP US GOV, AP Bio, AP BC Calc)</p>

<p>Standard EC's nothing amazing.
Assuming good letters of recommendation and good essay.</p>

<p>Now with that said I understand GPA is typically the most important part of ones application. I plan to do very well first semester senior year and receive a 4.0. If all goes as planned is it more beneficial to apply ea/ed for the greater chances or apply rd for senior grades.</p>

<p>Could you also recommend me some safeties, matches, and reaches? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Forgot to mention that my school does not rank. Thanks!</p>

3

<p>What would you like to study?
What area of the country do you want to be in?
Do you like urban and rural schools equally well?
Do you want to attend DI sports events?
Are you eligible for need-based aid?
If not, are your parents willing to pay $60K/year, or have they set a maximum amount they are willing to pay?
Does your high school typically have a number of students accepted to highly selective colleges?
Your test scores are very good, as you know. With a few more details, I am sure you can get some good ideas for your application list.</p>

4

<p>Here are some threads from last year. There are more. Hope this helps!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/992643-great-sats-horrible-grades-what-can-we-expect.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/992643-great-sats-horrible-grades-what-can-we-expect.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/988253-high-sat-low-gpa.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/988253-high-sat-low-gpa.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/988009-underachievers-3-3-gpa-less-2000-sats.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/988009-underachievers-3-3-gpa-less-2000-sats.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“Help me choose schools! (low grades, high everything else) - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Help me choose schools! (low grades, high everything else) - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/987479-advice-nephew-3-1-gpa-near-perfect-sat-satii-act-ap-scores.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/987479-advice-nephew-3-1-gpa-near-perfect-sat-satii-act-ap-scores.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>To your main question: A person who needs first semester Senior grades to boost a deficient GPA is a VERY POOR candidate for EA or ED. Would you rather have colleges evaluate you as a 3.0 GPA applicant or as a 3.14 GPA student (which would be your cumulative GPA if you crank this Fall)? Avoid all EA/ED, unless the admissions threshold is pretty low.</p>