Hi everyone, so I have narrowed down my list of schools to two and it’s only one month before the early application deadline for both. One is a D3 school that is very selective and I’ve already made a visit there, the coach has said that if I wanted to go there they would give me a likely letter. The other school is an Ivy who still has a few slots left but is still evaluating people. They said they are still interested and will get back in touch with me soon regarding a visit once they know what they’re doing with those spots. I know that if I apply to the Ivy early I can’t apply to the D3 school early decision. However, I don’t want to risk everything and wait for the Ivy school and then not be able to go to the D3 school either. I’m just worried that if it doesn’t work out with the Ivy school but I wait for them that I’ll miss my opportunity to go to the other school. If anyone has been through a situation like this (which I’m sure many of you have) please give me any advice you have! I’m just stressed out about not knowing where I’m going to go and having the deadline approaching so quickly. Thanks so much!
The first question to ask is what is your actual deadline? Has the D3 school said that you must apply ED in order to be supported? Much is written on this web site about the necessity of applying early decision, but in my own experience this is not always the case. Find out what the conditions of the D3’s offer are. If in fact the D3 school will exchange admissions support only for your commitment to apply ED, then realistically you have a bit more than four weeks. Keep in regular contact with both recruiting coaches, and make sure the Ivy coach knows that it is your intent to apply ED somewhere. That way, the Ivy coach knows what time line you are working with.
Use the time you have wisely. Are you confident these are the two schools where you want to spend the next four years of your life? If so, then do as much as you can with each school. Ask for an admissions and financial pre read from both. Prepare the common app, and the supplements for both schools. Make sure recommendations for both schools are done. Get your interviews scheduled if needed. At the end of the day, all you really need to be able to do is push send on October 31st.
Most importantly, breathe. Realize that while things are hectic for you right now, largely the stress and strain you are feeling is self imposed. You have a month before a decision has to be made. It may take the Ivy coach most of that time to decide whether to offer you support. Try and realize that there are things you can not control, and let events take their course. If you truly could be happy attending and competing at either school, then try and remind your self how fortunate you are. Many if not all of your friends have no idea where they will be going next year either. That is unfortunately the natural state of a high school senior whose life is about to change dramatically. Realize that while this uncertainty will last most of the year for the majority of your classmates, everything should be done and decided for you before Thanksgiving. Then you can sit back and relax and enjoy senior year.
Best of luck.
The D3 coach did mention that they would support my application ED but if I needed more time to decide that they would regular decision as well. My pre reads at both schools were very solid so I guess all I can do now is work on finishing both applications and see what happens from there. Thanks for the advice, although it is stressful, I do realize how lucky I am to have two great options ahead of me!