Would I be better off waiting until RD?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My plan was to apply to University of Notre Dame Early Action, but, I've been doing some reading and saw that some people don't recommend EA unless you are a very strong candidate. My stars are just below where the average for Notre Dame lies, and my essays probably won't be SUPER strong since I'm not a fantastic writer. Should I wait for RD or go ahead with my plan of EA? Here are my stats: </p>

<p>White female
Home state Wisconsin
Expected major is health sciences/biology (I want to be a PA)
Possible minor in German and/or music
Income is roughly $100,000/year
Estimated EFC $20,000
I would need financial aid (not really sure how much, but $20,000 isn't realistic for my family)</p>

<p>UW GPA: 3.841
W GPA: 4.032
Class Rank: 17/335</p>

<p>Test Scores
ACT composite: 31 (35 English, 28 Math, 29 Reading, 30 Science, 8 Writing)
ACT 2nd try: 30 (34 English, 25 Math, 30 Reading, 30 Science, 8 Writing) (not reporting)
SAT: not reporting</p>

<p>AP Classes
AP Human Geography (4)
AP US History (3)
AP English Language and Composition (4)
AP European History (3)
5 honors courses (the max at my school)</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP English Literature
Human Anatomy and Physiology
German 5
Wind Ensemble</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
Tennis (9, 10, 11, 12)
Track & Field (10, 11)
Color Guard with Marching Band(9, 10, 11-Co-Captain, 12-Captain)
Pit Orchestra (9, 11, 12)
Jazz Band (9, 10, 11, 12)
Pep Band (9, 10, 11, 12)
German National Honor Society (10, 11-Treasurer, 12-Treasurer))
National Honor Society (11, 12)
Rho Kappa Social Studies National Honor Society (12)
Class Board (10, 11, 12-Class President)
Baton Twirling (9, 10, 11, 12-Assistant Captain for my group)
Assistant Baton Teacher Parks & Rec.(9, 10, 11, 12)</p>

<p>Awards/Other
Women in Engineering Camp at UW Madison Summer 2014
Several state awards for German speaking/writing
Attended UW-Madison German Day in 9, 10, 11
State baton team member 2013
Placed in the top 10 in my division for baton twirling at nationals twice
I've won a few local titles for baton twirling (should I list these?)
First place rating at state solo & ensemble clarinet solo (you have to qualify for state at a local contest)</p>

2

<p>Please someone help! I’m so confused and conflicted. :(</p>

3

<p>I would apply EA. The acceptance rates are usually higher for EA, and even if you don’t get in, you’ll have another chance during regular decision. Two chances at acceptance are better than one. And don’t let anything you’ve read pull your confidence down, apply now.</p>

4

<p>I would be cautious about EA. Will your first semester grades be strong? Can you maybe take the ACT again? ND generally denies a large portion if the EA pool. Last year of @6500 applicants, just shy of 2000 were admitted and only 900 were deferred. The rest were denied.</p>

5

<p>@ejcclc My first semester grades won’t be available until after the RD deadline, since we take exams the third week of January. I’m considering taking the ACT again as I also plan on applying to Northwestern, but I haven’t scheduled anything yet.</p>

6

<p>The reason they say that the more competitive applicants apply EA is because those are the students who feel that their application is just as good now as it will be come January. Some people need the extra time to write essays, get elected for a cabinet position, do more volunteer work, etc. If you feel like your application is already as good as it is going to get, then apply! If you submit the same application anyway, why wait?</p>

7

<p>The only reason for you to wait until RD is if any of your stats could be better by waiting until RD - better grades, test scores or possible awards. Otherwise I would do EA because you really have nothing to lose. If you are going to be denied during EA then the same would happen RD.</p>

8

<p>@lovethekiller @oldfort I guess there are two reasons I could see waiting: We just started the Rho Kappa chapter at my school and we haven’t chosen officers yet, so I could run/be an officer for Rho Kappa. Also, my school has Band Council where the students on Band Council are elected and they help make fundraising decisions/do administrative things in the band. Are these worth waiting for or should I just send in my application?</p>

9

<p>I don’t think they are worth waiting for.</p>

10

<p>Would you recommend still submitting an application right now even if my essays aren’t as strong as they could be? They’re still rough right now, and I would clean them up this week before they’re due. Should I wait so I can have a couple teachers/friends critique them and polish them even more?</p>

<p>Also, since I’ve already taken the ACT twice and haven’t seen any improvement, should I bother taking it again and actually spending a good amount of time studying? I kind of skimmed through a review book the last two times and managed to get good scores (not necessarily good for Notre Dame, though). Would it be wise to take again?</p>

11

<p>@twirlergirl42, if you think you can improve on your ACT score, I would consider waiting. </p>

<p>ND’s website says this about EA: Because the Admissions Committee is unable to extend all of its offers of admission in the Early Action process, it is highly conservative when making Early Action admission decisions. The Admissions Committee advises students to apply in the Early Action process only if they are in the very top ranges of our applicant pool. Please review our current admissions statistics. This data reflects enrolled students and we typically admit at the higher end. </p>

<p>I believe your ACT score is under the 25th percentile for admitted students. (It’s 32/34 I believe.) So if you think you can raise your ACT score, I’d wait. Good luck either way!</p>

12

<p>I have another question: Would I be “penalized” for applying RD versus EA? Is there a bias against students who apply Regular Decision since they didn’t have their applications ready as early as other students? I know most people apply at the regular time, but will I at all be hurt from waiting?</p>

13

<p>If you think you could improve your essays then you should wait. </p>

14

<p>There is no bias against RD. If you aren’t confident in your essays, use the extra time to polish them. ND is very specific about admitting students that understand the University’s mission, and the best way to convey that you do is through your essays.</p>

15

<p>Thank you for the help, everyone! I’ve decided to hold off on applying until Regular Decision so I can polish my essays and perhaps take the ACT again! :)</p>

16

<p>RD is better</p>