<p>Applying ED is for someone who is absolutely sure they want to go to college X over all other offerings. In return for pledging to commit to a school that early, the colleges will be a little more forgiving of your stats so long as they are in the ballpark. An application that might be wait-listed for RD may be a lock for ED, for example. So 3.75 GPA unweighted is still in the park but the test scores are probably a little on the low side but not necessarily an ED-admisisons killer. You plan on retesting, so that’s good. </p>
<p>But what kind of bothers me is your guidance counselor advising you not to take a calculated risk. Sure you may get rejected, or maybe you’d get deferred, but that’s for you to decide, not for the GC to decide to wrap you in cotton balls to protect your little psyche from disappointment. You can always have a bunch of safeties and matches in process for RD should you not get into Brandeis. The only thing I’d consider is the affordability of the school should you actually get in but then find out that the financial aid package is not enough and suddenly you realize can’t afford it and then you have to go through the messiness of backing out of an ED. Not a pleasant thought. If your parents can do full-pay then that wouldn’t be an issue.</p>