<p>Every time we tell you your shot isn't all that great, you disagree. Why ask for advice when you won't listen to it?
I'll go school by school
Cornell- fair shot early
Duke- long shot
Penn- decent shot early (deferral)
Dartmouth - decent (deferral)
JHU - possible acceptance.</p>
<p>1/2 of the posts on this thread is telling the OP, in one form or another, not to apply Early Decision and 1/2 of the posts is from the OP, himself (or herself), trying to defend himself (or herself).</p>
<p>Personally, I would tell you not to apply ED simply because there doesn't seem to be a clear first choice. Statistically, you are "in range," though there seems to be a majority that doesn't think you'd quite make it- maybe because it's difficult to assess without seeing your extracurriculars... Then there are CCers out there who just want to kick your ass and give you their negative opinion because it seems like all you care about is getting into a "good college" no matter which school it might be, as long as it's "good."</p>
<p>Most of us are familiar (to different degrees) with Deerfield, and here's the interesting part- most of us who go to "regular" schools don't like having these statistics tossed around in our faces, and used as justification into your rationale for (1) choosing your college; (2) defending your choice of colleges when we shoot it down.</p>
<p>To the OP- do I hope you get into a good college? Yes. Do I hope you get in via Early Decision? Sure, why not. But, do I hope your ED school figures out that you really, really aren't as passionate about their school as the next ED applicant? You're damn right, I do.</p>
<p>To everyone else- in my opinion, it's no use to "help" anyone out figuring out "where to apply early decision." There's just something inherently wrong in the very idea.</p>
<p>& finally, because I feel obliged to answer the OP's question- you should apply to UPenn because it seems a lot of other kids at your school applied there ED (compared to other schools), and I hope you get deferred so your choices are kept open long enough for you to make a wise decision come April of next year. Best of luck,</p>
<p>TTG</p>
<p>Well, I guess the point of ED for me is that I dont want to get deferred. Trust me, I am passionate about going to these schools. I have visited them and studied them throughly. I have met alumni, friends, walked through the isles in my tours, spent nights, and even been to several sporting events. Why dont I just throw out the top 20 schools and then ask for your opinion. I have clearly cut them down to these 5 schools not because I randomnly selected them.</p>
<p>As a boarding school applicant, I know that it is difference from regular schools and I do get defensive because I have had the experience of a 'regular school' and I know what comparisions I need to make between the two. I thought this forum board was to help me with my chances at these schools. I dont want people to critcize me for not having the passion or the grades to get in Early Decision because I myself can judge my caliber whether I will fit at these schools. I also understand that I have not posted EC's because that is a long list comprising of awards, leadership positions, sports, community service, teams, and a year abroad experience that I have a lot to add on. </p>
<p>I just wanted other viewpoints on where they stand as to how I would get into those schools- Duke, Dartmouth, JHU, Cornell, or Penn- via Early Decision. I have backed up as much as I could as to explain where I am coming from in relation to the candidates and academic system of my school, and I want you to take these comments to aid your judgement as to where I may fit.</p>
<p>"I dont want people to critcize me for not having the passion or the grades to get in Early Decision because I myself can judge my caliber whether I will fit at these schools."
So stop asking us to judge your chances!!!</p>
<p>Also, stop PMing me, its weird.</p>
<p>You have a good shot, just don't consider yourself in anywhere...
Dont worry ;)</p>
<p>filmxoxo17,
dude, Im not trying to suck the optimism or brotherhood out of you to try and look as positively at my situation. I want criticism as to why I dont have a good shot according to you at these colleges. I provided my viewpoint and from where I was coming from repeatedly in the past posts. </p>
<p>I want to know what should I do or should have done to make my chances great, thats all.</p>
<p>Well then...
I think that you should probably think about something you can bring to the school in question that other students from your school might not have. that may be a particular hobby or talent that others won;t have, and then highlight that a LOT in your application. Basically what we're finding out here is that if you have a veritable claim to uniqueness, use that spin on your application, so if you go to committee, they can say, well we have a baton twirling mathlete or something weird like that. LOL.</p>
<p>T_college, I believe that you are going about this process wrong, no offense.</p>
<p>You should ONLY apply ED to your first choice school above all others. If you do not have a strong passion for one particular school or want to weigh all your options, DO NOT apply ED.</p>
<p>ED/EA programs are not inteded to be percentage raisers at each school and increase chances. They are programs designed for kids who truly put these schools as their first choices and are dying to go there.</p>
<p>Using your previous posts, I would recommend that you do not apply anywhere ED. Maybe an EA program where it isnt binding, but certainly not ED.</p>
<p>"Well, I guess the point of ED for me is that I dont want to get deferred. " -OP</p>
<p>You should be more concerned about rejections than deferrals.</p>
<p>why do you say that ttgiang?</p>
<p>i think you’d be a strong candidate for cornell and JHU and duke.
penn is definetely just after yale, on same level as columbia. cornell dropped alot in rankings and duke still has a much better acceptance rate. so i would apply to one of those.</p>
<p>Wonderful advice. Unfortunately, you’re four years late.</p>