What to do if I want to apply to my best friend's dream school?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

So my friend who is practically my sister and other half wants to go to Emory, which is her top choice and I completely support it. She looked into it just a few weeks ago, and doesn’t really have a legitimate reason to apply, but I support her to apply.

Emory has been on my list on and off again for before my friend decided it was her first choice, and now I want to apply. Neither of us have a legit good reason as to why we should apply, but I feel like i have a small (25%?) chance of getting in, want to keep my college options open if I get accepted, its good for my major, and I can see myself being happy there. I am sure my friend would be happy there too, and the reasons she gave was that it accepts a lower GPA (which is LOW, like not even close to the 25%), it is a top university and it is in the city. I don’t think she wouldn’t get in (in fact, if she wrote a fantastic essay I am sure she could have a chance because of her high SAT score and she is pretty good at writing), and I wouldn’t have a problem with applying while she is applying too, except that I am afraid I would knock her out of the admission process because both my GPA and ECs are far better than hers (her writing and SAT score is slightly better). But I do feel like I have the right to apply since I know a more about Emory than she does. I am not trying to brag or anything at all; that is the last thing I want to do, but I am just trying to tell it like it is because I REALLY need help!

We are such great friends and I hate being in this position…do they even limit the amount of people in a school to go to Emory (would it be fine to accept 2 people???) or does the # of people who apply in a certain school not matter?

Should I…
1.) Just go up to her and tell her that I am applying
2.) Ask her if I can apply and give her my reasons (which aren’t strong, but seem reasonable)
3.) Just not tell her that I am applying as well. If I don’t get in then she never has to know and I could avoid the whole awkward convo in the first place, but if I do get in (like i said…25%) then Satan will come to get me

I hope I am not making this way too big of a deal? haha I just would feel awful if I got in and she didn’t bc i love her so much, and if the reason was because of me. I could never forgive myself ):

2

You should apply. You can’t base where you want to apply because your friend wants to apply there as well. Don’t worry about taking her spot. This is your life and you need to do what is best for you.

3

@camwow “Neither of us have a legit good reason as to why we should apply”

I recommend finding more legit reasons before doing this instead of throwing a top school a generic application. And your friend should look into schools (whether they be top or even mid-tier) that are very SAT/ACT sensitive (perhaps trying to build that score for the rankings). Have y’all even visited it to try to find a reason to be interested (or not).

4

Is Emory only admitting a class of one next year? The odds of her not getting in and being the very last one not admitted are pretty high. Don’t blame yourself if she is not admitted. Apply where you want and let the chips fall where they may.

5

If you have good reasons to apply (ignoring what your friend is doing), then do it. Run your own race. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. And stop talking to your friends about your application process – it doesn’t help anyone.