Where should I apply ED?

<p>Hey everyone,
Just some background, I have a 3.59 with a 2290 on the SAT. I have the toughest course load ever attempted in my school. I have decent EC activities(pretty average compared to the rest of this site.) </p>

<p>I was just wondering if you guys can suggest some schools to apply Early Decision. Schools that will be reaches normally, but more possible ED with my stats. I want to look through your suggestions and find a good match for me.</p>

<p>Thank You all!</p>

<p>Are you saying for next fall? You might try U of Chicago EA if it fits you… my kid got in with a 3.7 this year, and if you have one more semester to bring your grades up, you might get to a 3.6. Then you could do an EA application as well.</p>

<p>If you’re going to apply ED, you should consider all aspects of a school, not just academics. Things like location (urban, rural, or suburban) and student life (parties, clubs, etc) will greatly affect your life for the next 4 years.
If you like big universities, I’d recommend UMich and UCLA. If you’re more of a LAC person, Vassar and Hamilton are great.</p>

<p>The fact that you’re asking people who you’ve never met to suggest schools to commit yourself to… Without even information on your financial situation, intended major, or any real preferences at all… Oh my.</p>

<p>I just wanted some suggestions based solely off of academics. I’m very open at this point. My main concern with a school is academics. I want the best education possible. I can consider financial aid and all after I look into some colleges</p>

<p>If you need to compare FA offers from different schools most people on this site believe you should not apply ED.</p>

<p>I think the general notion here is that </p>

<p>1) you determine the must haves for a college (cost is the salient one here) </p>

<p>And then</p>

<p>2) you determine your wants </p>

<p>3) you look for schools that have all of your must haves and a number of your wants </p>

<p>4) you check your chances at each school</p>

<p>5) you categorize them into probablies, targets and reaches and thereby design a reasonable list with a range of selectivity </p>

<p>And FINALLY: </p>

<p>6) you determine whether you want to apply early action, early decision 1 or early decision 2 to each school; choosing your absolute favorite for ED1. </p>

<p>As none of us has gone through this process with you, we cannot know any of the results from #1-5 and therefore it will be very difficult to suggest a college that is a perfect fit for your needs!</p>

<p>Unless you have a clear first choice that you know you can afford to attend (you should have this discussion with your parents before making your application list), do not apply ED anywhere.</p>

<p>However, the first college to find to put on your application list should be the safety, not the “dream school” (unless they happen to be the same).</p>

<p>Sorry, don’t want to turn this into a chance thread, but do you think I could ever possibly have a chance at Columbia. That is honestly my first choice but there is a very large chance I won’t get in and I don’t want to waste a precious early decision chance.</p>

<p>As for Fin. Aid, my parents are pretty well off and can cover a majority of the cost plus I have a college fund going and am willing to take on some loans for a good school.</p>

<p>My question is why take out loans to go somewhere and get just as good of an education else for free</p>