Lessons learned from ED and SCEA in 2025

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If UVA is your DC's dream and if you are in-state, sure, ED UVA makes sense.

An important thing is to have several EA schools covering the floor, so that DC will have at least one acceptance from a T50 before the break.

RD will be a numbers game. Once you have the floor covered, they can apply to as many T20 schools and WASP as they can handle.

ED T10 still makes sense. You can gauge the strength of the application by the ED outcome: deferral or rejection. You can adjust RD strategy and/or revise essays if necessary.

Genuine question. What t50 schools have ea and notify students of an acceptance before won't we t break??

Georgetown, Notre Dame, Case Western

And MIT

That would a ceiling not a floor.

Yeah, not sure Georgetown or Notre Dame are floors either (esp. EA, where Georgetown is -- unusually -- tougher than RD). Seems Case accepts much higher % of high stats kids but would be a target not a safety.

Some use Georgetown or Notre Dame EA acceptance as confirming signals. They RD HYPMS and top 10 schools with confidence.

With a deferral from Georgetown, realistically, focusing on T15 to T30.

Georgetown takes a lot of dmv kids.and is not really predictive of Ivies from the area. My dd’s small school got five in a recent year, and only one also did well with Ivies and she was hooked. It’s nice to have as the back up though.

Didn’t mean to suggest Georgetown is not a great school in its own right, but it is nice to have that non binding acceptance heading into RD.

Historically, applying to Georgetown is a pain though. The separate application makes it a lot harder. My DC is doing it this week. Once Georgetown is on the common app next year it will become a lot harder to get in. Application numbers will explode.

This switch is so weird because when we toured they made a big deal out of saying that don't want more applications because they would have to turn away more. Said they want to be an ADMISSIONS office not a place that rejects. So I guess that wasn't sincere.

[Anonymous]

My kid ED'd to a school that's a good fit for him (t20 if that matters), but I wish he hadn't ED'd now. He said at the time the only schools he cared about above the ED school would be HY or P and his chances of getting in were slim, even though he has a stellar academic record.

He SEEMED certain about his decision. But, he's 17 and feelings change; he wonders now if there are other schools he would have liked just as much.

Getting an acceptance in early November and sitting with that decision for 10+ months is going to seem like an ETERNITY. My kid is up and down, expresses regrets sometimes and seems happy enough at others.

The bottom line is: Early decision removes choice and, at the same time, does not relieve uncertainty, which is what we mistakenly thought would be an upside to ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid ED'd to a school that's a good fit for him (t20 if that matters), but I wish he hadn't ED'd now. He said at the time the only schools he cared about above the ED school would be HY or P and his chances of getting in were slim, even though he has a stellar academic record.

He SEEMED certain about his decision. But, he's 17 and feelings change; he wonders now if there are other schools he would have liked just as much.

Getting an acceptance in early November and sitting with that decision for 10+ months is going to seem like an ETERNITY. My kid is up and down, expresses regrets sometimes and seems happy enough at others.

The bottom line is: Early decision removes choice and, at the same time, does not relieve uncertainty, which is what we mistakenly thought would be an upside to ED.

This is normal for ED. It will pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid ED'd to a school that's a good fit for him (t20 if that matters), but I wish he hadn't ED'd now. He said at the time the only schools he cared about above the ED school would be HY or P and his chances of getting in were slim, even though he has a stellar academic record.

He SEEMED certain about his decision. But, he's 17 and feelings change; he wonders now if there are other schools he would have liked just as much.

Getting an acceptance in early November and sitting with that decision for 10+ months is going to seem like an ETERNITY. My kid is up and down, expresses regrets sometimes and seems happy enough at others.

The bottom line is: Early decision removes choice and, at the same time, does not relieve uncertainty, which is what we mistakenly thought would be an upside to ED.

Which top 20 releases decisions in early November? ED0 to Chicago is October, right?

[Anonymous]

Only ED if that is truly the top choice, like if you got into all schools, this is where you'd choose to go. Don't try to play games.

DC got into ED1 and had no regrets withdrawing all other apps.

Essays do improve with time, but this is growth is not forever. There is a learning curve and then all essays are pretty good. It is easy to hit that plateau before ED apps are due. It really is. Don't avoid ED because you think essays will improve over the next 2 months. Just start essay in the summer before 12th grade. DC did (try) and those summer essays were terrible. It got way better and was no problem to finish great essays by ED deadline.

Parents have a world view that teens just don't, no matter how smart they are. Parents also know their kid. The ED decision should feel right to the kid and to the parents - if parents have an objection, speak up and DC should try to understand. Of course, this goes for families where parents have their kid's best interests in mind and really know their own kid and don't have ulterior motives or harmful biases. YMMV.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid ED'd to a school that's a good fit for him (t20 if that matters), but I wish he hadn't ED'd now. He said at the time the only schools he cared about above the ED school would be HY or P and his chances of getting in were slim, even though he has a stellar academic record.

He SEEMED certain about his decision. But, he's 17 and feelings change; he wonders now if there are other schools he would have liked just as much.

Getting an acceptance in early November and sitting with that decision for 10+ months is going to seem like an ETERNITY. My kid is up and down, expresses regrets sometimes and seems happy enough at others.

The bottom line is: Early decision removes choice and, at the same time, does not relieve uncertainty, which is what we mistakenly thought would be an upside to ED.

And how would he feel if he (as is almost certain) got rejected from HYP…grass is always greener. Sounds like the right decision was made. 9 times out of 10, applying SCEA is a mistake.

[Anonymous]

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The REA was a good learning experience, and it was good to see who got in--it re-shaped
DC's strategy, and kicked DC's butt a bit, and now the RD essays are loads better. While I'm bummed that DC didn't get at least deferred, we see the app in a different way, and see a lot of the mistakes that were missed before. DC's app was excellent--well researched, well written, etc but seeing who they let in makes more sense. It was a good reality check. Added a few more targets and safeties.

Can you share what were the mistakes and what kind of candidates made more sense as accepts? Thanks

Now that we've completed the RDs, a few thoughts.

One of the eye opening things is the reality of absolute numbers versus percentages. College acceptance rates, etc are often listed as a percentage. And the DMV is filled with lots of "top 5% in the country" type folks. So we think "maybe, a top school" bc DCs top 1%. BUT in looking at the common data set (highly recommend), 6% is actually (making this up) 1200 people admitted. And in REA that might be 600 people--and then 300 of them are of the other gender. So that's like 300 students of one gender. So asking the question, is my kid one of the top 6 students in VA? No, no my DC is not. But when you see the REA admission as 10% it feels like you have more of a chance. I had head knowledge of this, before a rejection REA, but it sunk in in a new way.
So, we added 2 schools to the list after that. Wanted to make sure we had a smaller private school, to go with all the public school safeties--something that had qualities DC liked in REA school.


Another lesson learned: I'm guessing on this lesson. We took for granted that bc DC has excellent stats at TJ, that the app could focus on the other characteristics that one might not assume true. Listed academic stuff but essentially focused on the ECs, character traits, community service, etc. The folks who got in from TJ are super, super techy (and also have leadership, community etc. Like I said, it was humbling).

The RD apps are going strong on the academic chops, research, big words. AND also trying to portray a thoughtful, insightful, community member.

I always thought that character counts--and I think that's true. But at these highly rejective schools, academic chops is the new SAT 1550 (score to get in, to then be considered on the other characteristics).

Much of this is stuff I was told before, but it didn't stick. This side of REA, I understand it better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The REA was a good learning experience, and it was good to see who got in--it re-shaped
DC's strategy, and kicked DC's butt a bit, and now the RD essays are loads better. While I'm bummed that DC didn't get at least deferred, we see the app in a different way, and see a lot of the mistakes that were missed before. DC's app was excellent--well researched, well written, etc but seeing who they let in makes more sense. It was a good reality check. Added a few more targets and safeties.

Can you share what were the mistakes and what kind of candidates made more sense as accepts? Thanks

Now that we've completed the RDs, a few thoughts.

One of the eye opening things is the reality of absolute numbers versus percentages. College acceptance rates, etc are often listed as a percentage. And the DMV is filled with lots of "top 5% in the country" type folks. So we think "maybe, a top school" bc DCs top 1%. BUT in looking at the common data set (highly recommend), 6% is actually (making this up) 1200 people admitted. And in REA that might be 600 people--and then 300 of them are of the other gender. So that's like 300 students of one gender. So asking the question, is my kid one of the top 6 students in VA? No, no my DC is not. But when you see the REA admission as 10% it feels like you have more of a chance. I had head knowledge of this, before a rejection REA, but it sunk in in a new way.
So, we added 2 schools to the list after that. Wanted to make sure we had a smaller private school, to go with all the public school safeties--something that had qualities DC liked in REA school.


Another lesson learned: I'm guessing on this lesson. We took for granted that bc DC has excellent stats at TJ, that the app could focus on the other characteristics that one might not assume true. Listed academic stuff but essentially focused on the ECs, character traits, community service, etc. The folks who got in from TJ are super, super techy (and also have leadership, community etc. Like I said, it was humbling).

The RD apps are going strong on the academic chops, research, big words. AND also trying to portray a thoughtful, insightful, community member.

I always thought that character counts--and I think that's true. But at these highly rejective schools, academic chops is the new SAT 1550 (score to get in, to then be considered on the other characteristics).

Much of this is stuff I was told before, but it didn't stick. This side of REA, I understand it better.

Your issue is TJ. The key is scarcity - don't be like everyone else. You must stand out if you are not the very top kid at the school. Be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The REA was a good learning experience, and it was good to see who got in--it re-shaped
DC's strategy, and kicked DC's butt a bit, and now the RD essays are loads better. While I'm bummed that DC didn't get at least deferred, we see the app in a different way, and see a lot of the mistakes that were missed before. DC's app was excellent--well researched, well written, etc but seeing who they let in makes more sense. It was a good reality check. Added a few more targets and safeties.

Can you share what were the mistakes and what kind of candidates made more sense as accepts? Thanks

Now that we've completed the RDs, a few thoughts.

One of the eye opening things is the reality of absolute numbers versus percentages. College acceptance rates, etc are often listed as a percentage. And the DMV is filled with lots of "top 5% in the country" type folks. So we think "maybe, a top school" bc DCs top 1%. BUT in looking at the common data set (highly recommend), 6% is actually (making this up) 1200 people admitted. And in REA that might be 600 people--and then 300 of them are of the other gender. So that's like 300 students of one gender. So asking the question, is my kid one of the top 6 students in VA? No, no my DC is not. But when you see the REA admission as 10% it feels like you have more of a chance. I had head knowledge of this, before a rejection REA, but it sunk in in a new way.
So, we added 2 schools to the list after that. Wanted to make sure we had a smaller private school, to go with all the public school safeties--something that had qualities DC liked in REA school.


Another lesson learned: I'm guessing on this lesson. We took for granted that bc DC has excellent stats at TJ, that the app could focus on the other characteristics that one might not assume true. Listed academic stuff but essentially focused on the ECs, character traits, community service, etc. The folks who got in from TJ are super, super techy (and also have leadership, community etc. Like I said, it was humbling).

The RD apps are going strong on the academic chops, research, big words. AND also trying to portray a thoughtful, insightful, community member.

I always thought that character counts--and I think that's true. But at these highly rejective schools, academic chops is the new SAT 1550 (score to get in, to then be considered on the other characteristics).

Much of this is stuff I was told before, but it didn't stick. This side of REA, I understand it better.

Your issue is TJ. The key is scarcity - don't be like everyone else. You must stand out if you are not the very top kid at the school. Be different.

Also, the reality is that most normal high stats kids from high-income urban areas on the east coast have a 0% SCEA admission chance. Some select few have a 10-20% admit chance or higher. The average admit chances are deceiving.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I would strongly discourage spending an ED/REA on Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Brown/Dartmouth unless you are an URM, FGLI, recruited athlete, from a private school, or from an underrepresented state. There is no room at these schools anymore for the normal-excellent upper-middle-class public school white or Asian kid from the DMV or Northeast with a 4.0UW, lots of rigor, and a 1550+/35+; they have too many other institutional priorities. Even legacy is a minimal boost at best.

If you look at the few ED stats presented by Dartmouth, you can see their priorities: low-income, and kids who are in the top quarter of their schools (i.e., not necessarily impressive compared to students at more rigorous or competitive schools)

https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/12/dartmouth-welcomes-first-members-class-2030

My unhooked public school kid got into one of those schools this year. It happens…

I wonder if the disconnect is that many more kids from private schools are hooked/VIP so it seems to those parents that only those kids get in. But that's not always the case from public schools - some are hooked (legacy/athlete) but there are unhooked kids getting in. Our public had a great early round to the Top 5 schools. Unhooked, accomplished, smart kids.

These kids also exist at private schools. Ours gets a lot of unhooked kids into T5 schools.

Just don’t see nearly as many public school kids getting in locally, especially non magnet school kids.

If your private sends lots of kids to top schools, it’s a feeder and that means the student body is hooked.

Not necessarily, our feeder gets lots of unhooked kids into top schools.

No, PP is saying being a student at the feeder high school means any kid applying has that hook.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Private counselors love steering kids during ED1 to make sure hooked kids get what they want.

For the less fortunate unhooked kids, often they were steered to ED1 Chicago, Tulane, Northeastern.

If these are not your first choice, do NOT ED1 there. Always ED1 to your first choice, or not ED at all.

Once you have some safety/target EA acceptance, your private school counselor stops steering, and will allow you RD any school you want because by now all the hooked have gotten in.

RD is the stage when the unhooked get some amazing results!

What if the first choice is Yale/Brown/Princeton/Stanford, the distant 5th choice is Rice, and your DC’s school has a great track record getting kids into Rice during ED, then what do you do?

ED is for first choices, not fifth choices. In this situation, go for your top 4 choices in REA/RD. Unless Brown is actually a first choice, in which case you can ED to Brown.

Yup. This is the answer. You do not ED to your “distant fifth choice.”

What is the realistic chance that a kid who is a legit candidate to all these schools in the early round ends up getting shut out in RD? For context, the kid has 3.9 GPA 1560, good ECs, great teachers recs, top 10% from a well respected private HS, full pay, unhooked. There will be 2 safeties with 100% acceptance for this candidate based on Naviance but hoping not to go to safeties

To be blunt, this is a common profile. Even more so if applicant is a girl. To stand out, very unusual ECs, an unusual level of achievement/impact, or a very rigorous and well known school help..

Sorry but a 99th% SAT score is not a "common profile!" Think they mean "not super rare in the DMV" or "not uncommon among applicants to top schools." Geez.

[Anonymous]

Go test optional

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Applying ED1 rushes your entire application. The quality of your essays improves over time. My DC's RD essays are so much better than his ED1 essay.

Hard Disagree.
It’s only 2 mo difference in deadlines.
Just don’t procrastinate and your apps will be great by Nov 1. My kid didn’t do any app stuff over the summer and essays were fabulous by Nov 1.
In ED, unhooked, at Ivy from MCPS.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If UVA is your DC's dream and if you are in-state, sure, ED UVA makes sense.

An important thing is to have several EA schools covering the floor, so that DC will have at least one acceptance from a T50 before the break.

RD will be a numbers game. Once you have the floor covered, they can apply to as many T20 schools and WASP as they can handle.

ED T10 still makes sense. You can gauge the strength of the application by the ED outcome: deferral or rejection. You can adjust RD strategy and/or revise essays if necessary.

Genuine question. What t50 schools have ea and notify students of an acceptance before won't we t break??

Georgetown, Notre Dame, Case Western

And MIT

That would a ceiling not a floor.

Yeah, not sure Georgetown or Notre Dame are floors either (esp. EA, where Georgetown is -- unusually -- tougher than RD). Seems Case accepts much higher % of high stats kids but would be a target not a safety.

Some use Georgetown or Notre Dame EA acceptance as confirming signals. They RD HYPMS and top 10 schools with confidence.

With a deferral from Georgetown, realistically, focusing on T15 to T30.

Georgetown takes a lot of dmv kids.and is not really predictive of Ivies from the area. My dd’s small school got five in a recent year, and only one also did well with Ivies and she was hooked. It’s nice to have as the back up though.

Didn’t mean to suggest Georgetown is not a great school in its own right, but it is nice to have that non binding acceptance heading into RD.

Historically, applying to Georgetown is a pain though. The separate application makes it a lot harder. My DC is doing it this week. Once Georgetown is on the common app next year it will become a lot harder to get in. Application numbers will explode.

This switch is so weird because when we toured they made a big deal out of saying that don't want more applications because they would have to turn away more. Said they want to be an ADMISSIONS office not a place that rejects. So I guess that wasn't sincere.

It’s because they got a new President. The former one Prez for 24 years, DeGioia, said they would never get on common app—it was his thing.