Wharton ED or Georgetown EA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

My #1 choice is Wharton at UPenn. I want to apply there early decision because I think applying early decision would make my acceptance more likely. However, I know that it is really hard to get into Wharton and even people with perfect test scores still don’t get in. My #2 choice is the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown. I think applying there early action would also make my acceptance more likely than if I applied in the regular applicant pool.

Since Georgetown has restrictive early action, I can’t do both. Should I apply ED at Wharton and RD at McDonough and risk rejection at both? Or am I better off applying EA at McDonough and RD at Wharton with the possibility of getting accepted at McDonough. (I don’t think I would get into Wharton RD)

For some background, I’m a junior planning my college apps for next year. I’m a straight A Student with a rigorous course load (honors and AP’s) and an ACT of a 34.

2

ED at UPenn is better bet, if you have good GPA and good test scores. As it is your first choice and you will not regret taking it, if admitted, that is best bet. then RD at Georgetown is always an option,if not accepted at Upenn. It is not a good idea to beat system by applying botd ED at Upenn and EA at Georgetown. you may risk getting rejected both for gaming system, as Georgetown clearly states you cannot do it.

3

If I’m not mistaken, you can apply to both since Georgetown has open EA. Therefore, it would not be a violation to apply to both. However, if you are admitted to Penn, you would be required to withdraw all other applications and enroll.

4

Georgetown is one of the few colleges that has a lower acceptance rate EA than RD.

5

@codemachine Georgetown precludes students from applying ED anywhere if applying to GU EA, so he cannot do both. @mnx9xx If I were you, I’d do Penn if it’s your top choice. Penn gives you a substantial boost in admissions chances for ED, while GU does not do the same for EA (GU’s EA admit rate is actually lower than its RD admit rate, oddly enough). Also, there are plenty of extraordinarily qualified students who don’t get into GU, as well, so I think Penn is your better bet.