Would I be better off applying ED or RD?

<p>Wellesley is my first choice school, but committing to only one school for ED makes my parents nervous. It has nothing to do with financial aid (we will not be applying for any) and everything to do with lack of options later when I may want them.
They may chance their minds after we visit in a few weeks, but I just wanted to get some feedback...
What would you say my chances of acceptance would be if I applied Early Decision? What would my chances be if I applied Regular Decision? </p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>-Unweighted GPA: 3.65
-Weighted GPA: 4.45
-ACT Composite: 32
-SAT I: 1850/2400 (will definitely re-take)
-My high school is a magnet and is consistently ranked in the top 10 high schools in the nation.
-Ranking: Doesn't rank
-AP's I will have taken or will currently be taking by application time: European History, Psychology, English Language, Calculus AB, Physics B, Literature, Macroeconomics, Government, Spanish
-I have taken at least 1 class each year in all core subjects. This trend will be continued into my senior year. All of these classes have been honors/AP classes
-I am in the process of writing a thesis in which I will be interacting heavily with the local Hispanic population.
-I have done 100+ hours of community service.
-I am the co-president and co-founder of my high school's GSA. This may carry more weight considering I live in a conservative state (SC), and to establish and maintain this group was very difficult, although necessary.
-I am also active in groups such as Junior Intermezzo, National Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society</p>

<p>You should definitely retake your SAT I… also I’m sure you have SAT II scores? Just don’t forget about those because those count too!</p>

<p>I was in a similar situation in that I really wanted to apply to Wellesley and I knew I would want to attend if I was accepted. I think the idea of weighing your options, especially in regards to college admissions, is an important one however. Also, since your parents will be paying a lot of money for your education, I also understand their point of view – your view of what you want or need in a college may change after you consider other schools besides Wellesley. Visits are definitely important.</p>

<p>I think you should apply to Wellesley EA – compared to RD, there is no harm in applying EA. Early Action has about a two week earlier deadline than RD (so beginning of Jan instead of mid-Jan) and after reviewing your application, Wellesley will send you a likely, possible, or unlikely letter. This way you get to know sooner than the end of March about how your application has been perceived by the admissions committee and it is not binding, so you can still weigh other options. </p>

<p>I personally applied RD and wish I had applied EA – there’s some comfort in knowing a bit more about how your application is doing throughout the reviewal process instead of opening up an email or an envelope in the end of March with a yes, no , waitlist. </p>

<p>Whatever you decide, good luck with your application(s)!!</p>

<p>Does Wellesley have Early Action? All I see on the website is Early Decision and Early Evaluation. Could someone explain what Early Evaluation is?</p>

<p>I really wish I could apply ED; but I definitely need to compare financial aid.</p>

<p>OOPS! I totally meant Early Evaluation, NOT Early Action.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply! I actually didn’t know about the EE option. Is there any distinct advantage in applying for EE as opposed to RD?</p>

<p>I will most definitely re-take SAT I, and I’ll find out my SAT II results in the next day or so. I feel like I’ll just take the ACT again, but I’m not sure what to do. Do admissions have a preference?</p>

<p>Also, how much greater do you think my chances would be if I simply applied ED?</p>

<p>If you could answer those questions, I’d be much obliged :)</p>

<p>With EE, you get an indication of the likelihood of acceptance before official decisions come out. If you get a likely letter, you basically will be accepted so it can give you some peace of mind before the end of March. I hear you also get some nice goodies from Wellesley also, like posters and what not, so that’s pretty cool too ;)</p>

<p>Your ACT score is competitive as it is imo, but if you want to retake it, higher scores can’t hurt you! Good luck! Admissions does not have a preference, so I would go with whichever is higher. </p>

<p>If you want to apply ED (or EE or RD), I think you would be a pretty competitive applicant. Write some solid essays, and cross your fingers. I am not sure if ED applicants statistically have a higher chance of acceptance, though I think that is probably true. I applied RD so I don’t really have a stance on ED v. EE.</p>