Should I do Early Decision or not?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>So Cornell is my top university and am certainly going to attend if it accepts me. This made me think that I should apply utilizing the Early Decision tool, but now am not so sure since they don't consider first semester grades when making their decision on ED applicants. I'd like them to see my grades this year since it is yet another upward trend in GPA (while not a huge one) and in schedule rigor. In addition, my best grade this year is AP Econ, which is my desired major, so I'd like that to be shown off. </p>

<p>What do you guys suggest, should I do Early Decision or wait for the regular decision deadline so they can consider that information? In addition, if I do ED, would a mid-term be considered? </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>You send them your current grades if you do ED, ex. if you have a B in your class right now but it becomes an A at the end of the semester or whatever grading system you use, they’ll just see the B instead of A.</p>

<p>But the ED boost is pretty big.</p>

3

<p>Oh okay! Thank you!</p>

4

<p>I know that when my D applied ED, Cornell didn’t per say "see’ her senior grades up to that point, but rather an adcom called her GC & asked if her grades were still in line with those she had achieved in her first three years.</p>

5

<p>CSdad—did your D’s school operate on a trimester system? Am curious as our GC has instructed ED applicants to mail a copy of the 1st Q grades to ED schools. The 1st Q grades are not final grades, but are blended with 2nd Q grades & midterm exam to produce 1st semester grades. As in, 1st Q grades will never appear on an actual transcript, but guidance has a way to produce a 1st Q grade report.</p>

<p>Inquiring out of self interest here!</p>

6

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<p>…we are in NYS, whose school year doesn’t start until after Labor Day, as a result our first Quarter grading period doesn’t end until 11/8, after the ED deadline. I wonder if Cornell calls on all NYS ED students knowing that they won’t get a 1st Quarter grade report, just on applicants that they have decided to accept, or applicants that they still have not decided on?</p>

7

<p>So they don’t see the grades so far? Damn. I’m really unsure of what I should do. I have everything ready, but would like them to see the upward trend… I’m really not sure about what I should do.</p>

8

<p>Ask your guidance counselor for help. I’m sure they have had similiar situations arise.</p>

9

<p>The thing is our counselor is absolutely terrible. She’s completely inept.</p>

10

<p>My kid’s GC sent in her interim grades. You could ask your GC to do the same.</p>

11

<p>There is a definite advantage to applying ED. Last year’s ED admit rate was 29%, while RD was 13%.</p>