Hey everyone,
I was just wondering whether or not to apply EA or RD for basically all of my schools. Is it true that EA gives you a better chance because of a smaller applicant pool? I really need a little time to boost my GPA and take the ACTs again, as I’m confident I can maintain a really great first semester GPA for senior year. Worried that senior year GPA won’t even be factored into transcript with EA. Also, taking the ACTs again Oct 22nd in hopes of super scoring. Will EA allow these scores to be used since scores won’t come out till after Nov 1st?
Your worry is valid. Your senior year grades will probably not be considered whatsoever if you apply EA.
Early action is for people who finished very strong in their junior year and already have stellar standardized test scores. There is no shame in applying regular decision. You don’t seem to be a good candidate for EA.
I highly recommend finishing off your senior year strong and applying regular decision.
Does this mean that NE will consider the mid-year report for RD? Mid-year report at our school doesn’t come out till early Feb whereas the RD deadline is 1-Jan.
Do they wait till the mid-year report comes in before making their decision?
It is true that EA/ED can help (although some question of that, because the applicant pool is usually more qualified). However, if you really need your fall senior grades (to up your GPA) and better test scores, I’d wait for RD.
If you have naviance, you can quantify this for your school. Go to colleges tab/acceptance history/northeastern/schoolstats and at the bottom, you’ll see if EA gives students a boost at all. I’ve looked at this for our HS and various colleges, and essentially learned ED gives a boost, EA does not.