The middle 50% for ACT scores for Boston College is 30-33. And for Univ. of Richmond is 30-33.
Your GPA is a bit low. How is your class rank if you know it?
I am leaning towards ED to Boston College if that is your dream school. You sound lukewarm about UR although it is a fine school. Do you want a school that is more urban and larger like BC? There are other schools in Boston or Philadelphia you could consider.
I agree that you should run Naviance.
This is a hard choice.
Boston College is a school where EA might not give a boost to an applicant in the mid-range for admission. We visited and during the information tour they made it clear that during the EA round those accepted were in the top range of accepted students. Others heard that message as well: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/1666064-class-of-2019-boston-college-early-action-p4.html
How many times have you taken the ACT? How did the sections break out? It might be worth it to study and retake to boost your chances. ^ good info to note about the top range.
On Naviance, I found that the average UW GPA of EA BC admitted students from (2006-2015) is 3.59, while mine is a 3.56. Also, the average ACT is 31, while mine is 30. I would consider that reasonable right?
@suzy100 That is interesting to hear, but the stats on Naviance say otherwise. The average GPA from my school from RD is 3.6. That is slightly higher than the EA GPA. But, the ACT is the same.
@txstella I plan on retaking the test in June. Hopefully, I will do better I am shooting for a 31+.
If you can afford the cost, hire a tutor to help you if there is one weak section in your ACT score.
Hmm, your stats are possibly reasonable. As you might know, each school can determine its own Naviance settings - so at my D’s school only the previous 4 graduating classes’ information appears in that section. I wonder if BC is like many other schools that have become significantly more selective in the past 5 years, making the full 2006-2015 average less reliable than if the average were for just the most recent few years’ applicatnts?
Not trying to kill your dream - just want you to think through all the scenarios so you can make the most informed decision. In the end, you may always second guess yourself. Sometimes in life there is no “right” answer other than giving the question at hand careful thought.
@GnocchiB I understand and I totally appreciate what you are doing. In fact, I just looked and the GPA from (2010-2015) for all applicants is 3.61. Therefore, it is a little increase in the GPA, but the ACT is still the same. Therefore, unless the school increased their stats even more within the last 2 years, I think this seems pretty reliable.
Is BC a school that cares a lot about its yield? Applying EA combined with your school counselor ensuring that you will attend if accepted – plus perhaps upping your standardized test scores – might make a difference if you are on the bubble. Even if deferred it might help you at BC to have applied EA because it demonstrates interest.
@Sunny66 That’s what I was thinking, too. I did not think of the counselor thing, though. That is a good idea. So you think I should go for the risk instead of playing it safe.
AOs at These highly selective schools seem to be pretty adept at finding the applicants who they think will thrive at their school. If you present yourself as someone who belongs at BC (show them what you will bring/contribute to BC), and your stats are reasonable, I think ED is the way to go as long it is truly your #1. Do a REALLY good job on your application, and best of luck.
We need to know the difficulty of your classes? I think 30 is light for BC.
I think it’s ED at BC or don’t apply ED anywhere else. I didn’t apply early to my first choice (or anywhere else) because I needed to improve my grades first semester senior year and also up my SAT. I was concerned about being rejected if I applied early, not just deferred. Ended up getting in regular decision. That was EA though. ED is different because the school knows you’ll attend. It depends on how your app looks after junior year compared to what the school generally requires.