I just returned from my D’s junior counseling session with her HS counselor. The counselor, a lady I respect and who is very experienced, said that ED definitely does not increase odds of getting in as it once did. That in fact, it may hurt your chances, as colleges wait for the bigger regular decision pool to get the very best students.
She also says that grades are definitely more important than good test scores. My D has good grades, but stellar test scores. Now she is worried. She is trying to improve her grades, but her current GPA is 93, not as good as it should be for the very selective colleges she is interested in. She has many AP and Honors courses though.
Sorry for two questions, but I would love to hear from an expert on this.
There are many fine selective colleges where a 93 would fit in.
I think it is also hard to tell about ED admittance…looking at our Naviance, we see that the ED kids have a lower acceptance rate, but then they also have a lower GPA/SAT scores because they are hoping for that “bump”.
So do people think she should just forget about ED as a route to getting into a very selective college?
If you think your D’s record is good compared to the school and it’s definitely her first choice, sure. I don’t recommend ED unless it’s her first choice and you can definitely afford it.
At some schools ED definitely helps one’s chances of getting in. For example my D attends a LAC which takes close to half of its class ED and there is absolutely an advantage to apply that way if the school is one’s top choice. I don’t think it would ever be a disadvantage because if a student is on the cusp and the school wants to compare him/her to the RD applicants they would defer the student. ED rejections are typically only for students who admissions feels would not be competitive in the RD pool.
That said, I don’t think ED should be used as a way to game the system and try to get into a “better” school – it should only useful for students who have a definite top choice of college.
I feel very confused about this now. Let’s say her top choice is Tufts, a school she is very interested in. Her GPA isn’t quite up to the average there. So how does she know if applying ED at a school like that might work in her favor?
The thing to consider is will the advantage (if there is one at that college) of applying early outweigh having the chance to show improved grades for the first half of senior year if the student’s GPA is low for that particular college. In the case stated above where the GPA is below average, it may help to show solid first semester grades and apply RD. The advantage of applying ED is not usually huge IMO so a student should be basically qualified (or very minimally below average) for the ED college in terms of GPA/standardized tests. That is something to take up with your guidance counselor and the answer may be different for different colleges. Tough call.
I think that it depends where you apply to college with the ED boost thing. At a school like UPenn, it might help your chances, as UPenn values ED applicants. They just filled dup 54% of the class. State schools might also confer an advantage for applying early, since most are rolling decision. But at a school like Harvard or Yale, the fact that your child applied ED probably would not be a huge difference (if that’s what you’re looking for for college).
I think grades and test scores are both important.
Be sure to differentiate between ED (binding) and the various flavors of Early Action (not binding). They require different levels of commitment, and the schools know that. Also, if financial aid is a factor, ED is often discouraged.
You people are great, and I love this site. Thank you for being so helpful. This makes a lot more sense now.
I think that counselor is poor because she generalizes too much.
Some schools definitely give a boost to ED applicants.
And different schools weight GPA and test scores differently.
If Tufts is her clear first choice and finances aren’t an issue, why not ED?
Thanks@PurpleTitan. I guess she should also,look at colleges and how they take finances into consideration. Luckily, we are able to finance her education.
http://provost.tufts.edu/institutionalresearch/files/CDS_2014-2015.pdf
Here is a link to the latest common data set for Tufts. You can glean lots of info from common data sets, so I would definitely analyze then for all schools your D is considering.
According to this, for RD there were 19,059 applicants and 3,287 were accepted. (17% admitted)
For ED there were 1,720 applicants and 671 were accepted. That’s a 39% admission rate!
So obviously from the date, ED definitely ups your chances dramatically!
@uskoolfish , that is great info. Is the provost thing a website? I have been on the Tufts site and haven’t seen that detailed info before.
@Lindagaf, in general, to find the common data set for a school, Google nameofschool common data set. Also, http://collegelists.pbworks.com/w/page/30192726/Common%20Data%20Sets has a lot of links to them. The common data sets are a treasure trove of information.
If the HS has Naviance, that’s also very useful.
If she is thinking ivy, applying early is the way to go. Getting in regular is borderline impossible but with ED its also not a great shot, but atleast its a shot.
There is always debate about just how much boost applying ED or EA gives. At a glance, the stats seem to show a large bump. However, when you strip out recruited athletes and legacy applicants, the bump is less strong. Many Tier 1 coaches strongly encourage their athletes to apply ED (coaches want to manage the recruits; no point in having 20 linebackers and no kickers). It is a (I believe unwritten) rule that if you want a boost from being a legacy, you should apply early.
From what I remember about visiting Tufts- they really pay attention to the quality of the application. Not just the academic profile, but the ECs, recommendations, and especially the essay. The admissions officer at the info session went on and on and on about the importance of the essay. If her application is overall a good fit for Tufts with stellar scores (and rigorous course load) ED might be a great way to go IF it is her clear number one choice. The only risk is that she gets rejected, but as was mentioned above stream if that happens in the ED round the adcoms have a strong sense that she wouldn’t fare well in the RD round. So if there is a rejection in December, take it as great feedback and look at it as an opportunity for her to readjust her college list and apply to more target schools. If admissions is on the fence in December they will defer her and her fall senior grades could make a difference if she improves her GPA.
Since she is a junior she has time to consider/visit many other schools; if you can swing it definitely have her spend the night at any school she would consider applying ED. One night doesn’t capture everything a school might or might not be, but it is a nice window nonetheless. An overnight can provide much more insight about a school’s fit than just the typical tour and info session. Also, see how she does this semester- if GPA is trending upward that is of course encouraging. If trending downward, give a really good look at the schools her GC is recommending.
@lr4550 , very good idea. Currently Tufts is her top choice, but we will be going to see quite a few other schools. She is really taking all this advice to heart, and about two weeks ago realized she really needs to try to boost her grades just a bit to help her odds. I appreciate all the input.
One other downside to ED that is worth mentioning- if her heart is “set” on an ED school and it doesn’t pan out the rejection can be very derailing in Mid December (making it more difficult to focus and get other quality apps in by Jan 1). Senior fall is intense for kids setting their sights on selective schools- rigorous class schedule, ECs, test prep, applications, you name it! So make sure she has her target schools already in the mix, and if any are unrestricted EA or rolling definitely have her apply to those early as well. You’ll need to have a frank discussion about the real possibility of not getting into Tufts or any other “reach” school ED so that if the news isn’t good she hasn’t fixated too heavily on one school (happens often). If Tufts is a good fit for her there must be a dozen other schools that aren’t Tufts but have similar qualities. The looking is a lot of fun if the student is willing!