Should I apply to Boston College and Northeastern early action?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
1

I’ve been on the fence about applying early since the summer. Everyone is telling me to apply early but I want to apply to whichever way that gives me the maximum chances of admission but I’m afraid that applying early action might hurt my chances specifically. The first reason is because they’re my reach schools I got an 1810 on the SATs out of 2400 and I’m still waiting to take it again but it’s on nov 7, after the deadline (nov 1). Also I have a weighted gpa of 3.9 . I’ve taken mostly all honors and 3 AP classes. This fall semester I have all As except a B in AP Chemistry

Extracurriculars:
District secretary of district student council, representative of school student council and class student council, treasurer of NHS, member of key club, homework club, and health occupations club, LGH Volunteer, summer job, week day camp volunteer. I’ve also done winter track for 4 yrs

Another reason I’m on the fence is because I’m not completely in love with my common app essay and I still haven’t written the supplemental essay for bc or done my resume for northeastern. The next reason I’m on the fence is that I notified my teachers that their writing my recommendations but didn’t tell them I was applying early action so I don’t think they wrote it yet but I want them to take their time. There is only a week left until the deadline.
What do you think I should do? I’m so indecisive. Everyone is telling me I should apply early but is it worth it to rush myself to get these things done? Especially because their my top schools I want to greaten my chances against more competitive applicants. Is there a chance I might get deferred to regular decision if I apply early? I also heard BC and NE really appreciate early action.

Also do you think I have a chance of getting into these schools?

Boston university
Cornell
Brown
UNH

2

Dear Peachy24 : The first glaring point in your profile is the 1810/2400 SAT I scores. The middle 50% of the accepted and enrolled Boston College freshman class typically ranges from 1950-2100 for the three way exam. Your 1810 is 140 points below the 25th percentile. Actually, this places you near the 0th-percentile being honest - the area where only recruited athletes with golden tickets are admitted.

While it is unfair to you as a student to review your whole profile in the context of one data point, this one is a pretty serious blocker. Unless you have an incredible - and I mean Pulitzer Prize Winning -essay describing why you make Boston College a better school with your inclusion, I would absolutely avoid the EA round and seek acceptance during the regular decision round. Based on your own words, it would seem that your essays are still in need of work.

Early action should be used when you know a school is actually your top choice. Given your indecision on so many fronts, you should use the RD rounds at all of the schools you have listed.

Something else that you should consider. Every school you have listed will be a stretch on the numbers you have presented. Perhaps the 3.9 GPA is very strong and Top 10% at your High School, but with only 3 AP exams, you are somewhat soft in that area also compared to some applicants. What are the schools that are match institutions with your profile?

3

peachy

unless you are instate (NY) and applying to Cornell’s contract colleges, ED to Arts and Sciences is a real long shot. Brown posts their acceptances by SAT band and you can see that it’s also a lottery-type school.

Without a strong essay ready to go, probably not worth an ED app.

Your test scores in their current form, are unlikely to get any money at BU. Can you pay full freight?