Where should I ED/EA?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm trying to pick a school to ED/EA to and I'm having a problem deciding where I want to apply.</p>

<p>First, my "stats":</p>

<p>3.5-ish GPA (upward trend)
2180 + SAT (2180 is current score, taking again in Oct., pretty confident I will raise it)
760W 740M 680CR
740 Math II, re-taking along with Bio</p>

<p>ECs:
-Musical instrument for 9 years, am concertmaster, participate in multiple orchestras
-Compose music, hoping to send in a piece of music I wrote
-Computer Programming, have volunteer hours tutoring kids how to computer program, also have a bit of clubs involved where I showcase my programs
-Model U.N. for 2 years, now treasurer
- Approximately 250 hours of community service</p>

<p>Circumstances:
I have a mentally-retarded brother who's 27 and requires a lot of care every day, often limiting my participation in other activities. My family also runs a business with which I am heavily involved in. We are also very low-income (18,000/yr) All these have impacted my academic performance in every way I know.</p>

<p>I'm really interested in mathematics/computer science, and was looking into these three schools as my choices for ED/EA</p>

<p>UChicago
Cornell
Carnegie Mellon</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon and Cornell aren't far away and UChicago is in city-enviroment, which is why it interests me. I know all three of these schools are huge reaches for me, which is why I'm asking for some advice on which one you guys think I have the best chance at. </p>

<p>If there's any other schools that meet the criteria for a good math/comp sci school either in the NE or in a large city, feel free to suggest them! Thanks.</p>

2

<p>With your family’s low income, have you considered applying through Questbridge? It’s kinda late now but with your circumstances you would have a pretty good chance at a finalist spot given you have strong recommendations and essays.</p>

3

<p>If your CR score comes up even 30 points Chicago might be possible and it’s EA so you won’t be committed. Otherwise Cornell and Chicago are going to really tough. You should start on the “why Chicago” essay and the other essay if you want to go that route because they take some thought! Have you visited Carnegie Mellon? I think they place a little value on demonstrated interest. If you’re not totally sure, maybe it’s better to apply but not make it binding early decision. Also what about University of Rochester for more of a match?</p>

4

<p>If you want to use the Early process to go for a reach, I would recommend you steer away from UChicago- it’s so much of a reach that it might be a waste to use your early there. I’d recommend Cornell or CM, depending on your interests.</p>

5

<p>

Actually, he can apply EA to Chicago and ED to Cornell or Carnegie Mellon at the same time. The only hitch is that he must attend Cornell/CMU if admitted.</p>

<p>

Applying ED usually gives a boost, though many colleges deny it. EA is rarely much of an advantage.</p>

<p>For example, Cornell used to have a pretty blunt statement on its website about the benefits of ED.

<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20090311060137/http://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/firstyear/early.cfm[/url]”>http://web.archive.org/web/20090311060137/http://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/firstyear/early.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;